J’ TREND Controls (JTC) used its experience to surprise favored Antones Lines, 93-79 while Judge Marketing survived Baciwa, 94-84 in Monday’s Bing Uy Soyao Memorial Cup end of elimination round at JGC Gym in Goldenfield Complex, Bacolod City.
A last quarter 29-19 spurt by the Controllers burst the tires of the Transporters who led 45-43 at half but were taken over in the third, 64-60 behind the rally of Rex Bayer, Bert Celis, and Jerel Jarobel.
Judge Marketing, meanwhile, were trailing 30-43 at halftime before deciding a 26-11 surge in the third canto over Baciwa which reported with only six players.
With only one 50Up Waterman present, Judge had a plus 10 points as three 50U players are required in the first five minutes of the last quarter.
Digol Benedicto had a tournament-high 35 points and Bobot Alvarez added 24 for Baciwa but were negated by Judge’s Alvin Morales who hit 20.
Ariel Tornilla who scattered 17, Toto Cordero had 13, and Stanley "Jordan" contributed Dequit's 10.
J’ Trend got its balanced scoring from Celis (24), Bayer (18), Jeff Julian (10), Nene Sibaya (10), John Tumamot (9) and Jarobel (8). Hermie Derwill had 21, Wendell Fuentebella added 20 while Boy Ohoylan and Dagol Flores scored 18 and 11 for Antones.
In the triple tie break, JTC finished first with a quotient of 2.141; Antones took second with 1.949, and Judge placed third with 1.946 after their similar 2-1 record. Baciwa was 0-3.
Games on Monday pit JTC vs Baciwa at 7 p.m. while AL and JM collide at 8:30 p.m. with the number 1 and 2 finishers having a twice to beat advantage.
