Putting the bitter memory of their 78-81 loss to Henkel-Sista in Game 2 behind, the Batang Pier poured on the heat in the third period to hack out an 88-67 win and set up an intriguing title showdown with Cebuana Lhuillier Pera Padala in the PBL Unity Cup at the Olivarez Sports Center.

Inspired by Ryan Arana’s buzzer-beating midcourt heave at the end of the second quarter, the Batang Pier outscored the Super Sealers, 23-10, and advanced into the finals for the third straight time.

Interestingly, it was Arana’s only basket of the game.

The Moneymen claimed the first finals slot by downing Toyota Balintawak behind their swarming defense, 72-58.

The Batang Pier and Moneymen, who closed out their respective best-of-three semis series at 2-1, start their best-of-five title series tomorrow at The Arena in San Juan.

Still feeling the pinch of their shocking loss in Game 2, the Batang Pier started cold, even allowing the Super Sealers to control in the early part of the game.

But when Jason Castro started to connect, the Batang Pier seized the inititiative.

Protecting a shaky 38-33 lead, the Batang Pier finished the half at 41-33 after Arana connected on a what coach Jorge Gallent described as a miracle shot.

The Batang Pier are gunning for a third straight championship after winning the same tournament last year at the expense of the Roadkings. They also ruled the Silver Cup last February by sweeping past Dazz (formerly Hapee Toothpaste).

Castro, a top candidate for the MVP plum, led the Batang Pier with 16 points despite playing only for 18 minutes. He also had six assists, four rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots.

With Doug Kramer, Macky Escalona and Ariel Capus at the forefront of Cebuana’s rock-solid defense, the Moneymen held the Roadkings to just seven points in the payoff period en route to earning their first finals appearance since rejoining the league last year.

"I’m proud and overwhelmed with our win. The boys believed in what we’re doing defensively and I’m really happy about it," said coach Luigi Trillo, who reserved his biggest praise for Kramer.

The 6-foot-5 Kramer typified Cebuana’s stifling defense and steely resolve as he outwitted last year’s MVP Joe Calvin Devance to lead Cebuana’s mighty assault in the fourth.

"He’s a revelation today, he challenged Devance most of the time," said Trillo of Kramer who finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.