Kurizo Hoopers eliminated Cresta Verde Mountaineers 108-95
Kurizo Arena, Philippines -- With a sold-out crowd of 18,035, the fans went out to see the highly anticipated matchup between the #1 seed Kurizo Hoopers and upset-seeking 4th seed Cresta Verde Mountaineers.
"We are the best team in Great 8 so we expect to win," one fan said. "you never know what their team is capable of," a diplomatic fan said. "with their experience, they can pull off a win," another fan quipped.
The crowd was excited not only for the home team but the visiting team as well as the Mountaineers finished their last four games with a 3-1 W/L record to grab the fourth and final spot away from Zennings winning just one of their last four games.
With the crowd on their side, Hoopers roared in the first quarter scoring 33 points compared to 24 by the Mountaineers. The Mountaineers tried to match their output in the 2nd quarter scoring 22-apiece trailing 46-55 at the half.
Mountaineers GM Nicolo Maro was late for this game but the team managed to put four more points upon the arrival of the GM in the third only trailing 77-82 entering the fourth.
With the support of their GM, the Mountaineers made a 10-2 run in the first four minutes getting the lead for the first-time 85-84 with Marion Pacete's dunk.
However, the Hoopers clamped down on defense and made a 10-2 run of their own to keep the Mountaineers at bay.
Renald Geonanga fouled out with almost four minutes left tallying 18 points and 6 rebounds then Frederick Rosales made a dagger shot from the wing off a pass from Bernardo Nava leading 98-91 with three minutes left.
Toufic Benhoussa made back-to-back jumper to seal the deal with a little more than a minute left as the Mountaineers starters were pulled out with 43 seconds left to the delight of crowd -- both appreciating their effort and the victory for the home team.
"I think there is no better opponent than the Mountaineers," a Hoopers supporter said. "they give their all, unpredictable, and can pull the win at any given time."
Rosales led the Hoopers with a game-high 29 points along with 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals in 13-21 field goal shooting, playing all 48 minutes. "hats off to them, they play you to the limit," he said.
The rest of the starting five were in double figures supported by Teofic and Gerardo Scocchi with 19 points apiece and a double-double by Giedris Sebeziovas with 17 points and 12 rebounds and 16 points and 13 assists by Goran Ilicic.
The Mountaineers starting five were all in double figures as well led by Teodosio Amante with 23 points. Rennor Villegas had a great effort with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists while Geo scored 16 points.
Fillmore Sabangan chipped in 12 points while Pacete had 11.
"First, let me congratulate Hoopers for advancing to the next round," GM Nicolo Maro said. "we all compete to win championships and they're on their way."
He added: "this could not erase the fact that we're now 0-5 against them."
The statistics were almost identical as the difference was only a few shots but the +10 assists of the Hoopers surely put them over the top and the spotlight to their point guard Ilicic.
"My biggest dream is to have a player, a point guard, that will have a double-double in the duration of the regular season," GM Nicolo said. "that's why I took particular interest of his performance, all the best Hoopers!"
With that, the Mountaineers ended season 26 with a 10-12 record. Still, there is a sentiment that the team is torn between competing and rebuilding. Nevertheless, their season was a success as they started slow but ended up in the big dance to show their heart to the rest of the league.