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TRECE MARTIRES city: Burger King worked extra hard on Labor Day and
got an extra bonus.
Banking on the end-game heroics of Khiel Misa,
the Burger King Whoppers outsteadied Pharex, 69-65, Thursday to
close out its elimination campaign on a high note in the PBL
Lipovitan Amino Sports Cup at the jampacked Gov. Ayong Maliksi gym
here.
The 5-foot-7 Misa completed his steal off Sean
Co in the last 17 seconds which turned out to be the catalyst the
Whoppers needed to reaffirm their mastery over the Medics.
The Medics had several chances to turn the game
around but three hurried attempts from the 3-point zone, including
two from Ronnie Bughao, hastened their downfall.
“Nag-gamble lang talaga ako, kaso perfect ang
naging timing ko sa kanya,” said the 24-year-old Misa, who is
still hoping to fulfill his childhood dream of playing in the pro
league someday.
For finishing with a third-best record of 9-6,
the Whoppers earned a privilege to select their quarterfinal
opponent aside from having a twice-to-beat bonus.
With the loss, the Medics finished the
double-round elims with a 7-8 win-loss card—the same record of San
Mig Coffee and Toyota Otis. But due to its superior quotient, the
Coffee Kings secured the other twice-to-beat advantage in the next
round.
Since they have already beaten Pharex for the
fourth straight time dating back to the last conference, Burger King
coach Allan Gregorio picked Pharex to be their quarterfinal
opponent.
“We have beaten them four in a row, so we
decided to select them,” said Gregorio, who drew 15 points from
Mike Bravo.
Scores:
BURGER KING 69 – Bravo 15, Arrelano 12, David
10, Santos 8, Gregorio 8, Misa 6, Ballesteros 4, Barcellano 4,
Baluyot 2, Bonus 0, Angeles 0.
PHAREX 65 – Saladaga 17, Allera 14, Matias 13,
Co 6, Villamin 5, Bughao 4, yee 2, Bauzon 2, Alfad 2.
Quarters: 18-16, 36-32, 53-55, 69-65.
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