Rey C. Lachica
TARLAC CITY — Hapee Toothpaste came through with a gritty defensive effort in the third quarter to score a runaway 82-70 win over Burger King at the start of their semifinals series in the 2008 PBL Lipovitan Amino Sports Cup before a huge crowd at the Tarlac State University here.
The Complete Protectors struggled in the first two quarters before pouring on the heat in the third which they kicked off with a suffocating zone defense to rip the game wide apart and draw first blood in their best-of-five series.
Fil-Am Gabe Norwood, easily the most popular player, led Hapee with 18 points but it was Mark Borboran who started everything for the Complete Protectors.
While holding the Whoppers scoreless for more than five minutes, the Complete Protectors exploded for 17 points to turn a slim 37-32 halftime lead to a commanding 54-32 advantage.
Borboran scored five points in the stretch and capped that blitz with a booming trey. Larry Rodriguez also starred in that stretch by hitting two baskets.
"We played solid defense in the third and that was it," said Hapee coach Louie Alas. "I’m hoping we can sustain this good start."
The Complete Protectors posted their biggest lead at 58-35 following back-to-back baskets by Norwood and Alfie Grijaldo. Borboran finished with 15 points.
Norwood was at his element in the first quarter where he exploded for 12 points on 2-of-3 shooting from way beyond the three-point arc. He also had two rebounds, two assists and a steal as the Complete Protectors dictated the tempo of the game.
Borboran added three more triples in the second while Jervy Cruz banged in six points to give the Complete Protectors that 37-32 lead at the break.
The 6-foot-5 Cruz, who ended up with eight points, failed to return to the game after sustaining a hamstring injury.
A big revelation for the BK Whoppers in the first half was Cris Baluyot who sizzled for eight points on an impressive 3-of-3 shooting from the field aside from making his two free throws.
In the second game, Harbour Centre missed four of six free throws in the last 41 seconds but still escaped with a 76-74 win over San Mig Coffee in their own semis series.
The Coffee Kings had the chance to send the game into overtime or win it with a triple after Jason Castro flubbed his two free throws with seven second left.
But Bonbon Custodio, who was hot early, missed his desperate shot as time expired.
First Game
HAPEE 82 — Norwood 18, Borboran 15, Juntilla 11, Cruz 8, Rodriguez 8, Mercado 7, Daa 4, Grijaldo 4, Tan 4, Saguindel 2, Viray 1, Ranises 0, Quinday 0, Hugnatan 0, Espiritu 0.
BURGER KING 70 — Bravo 19, Popus 13, David 11, Arellano 8, Baluyot 8, Santos 4, Barcellano 3, Ballesteros 2, Gregorio 2, Masbang 0, Bonus 0, Misa 0, Angeles 0.
Quarters: 20-15, 37-32, 64-42, 82-70.
Second Game
Harbour 76 — Mercado 24, Castro 18, Belga 11, Alonzo 6, Chan 5, Tang 4, Asoro 4, Ababou 2, Fernandez 2, Gamboa 0, Vergara 0, Gaco 0, Malabanan 0.
San Mig Coffee 74 — Alcaraz 17, Arao 15, Custodio 15, Raneses 13, Losentes 6, Dela Cuesta 4, Balneg 2, Solis 2, Mabayo 0, Bolocon 0, Saldua 0.
Quarters: 10-19, 43-40, 60-63, 76-74.
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