LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — Host Treston-Laguna forged a title duel with Ascof Lagundi for the third leg crown of the Tournament of the Philippine (TOP) after downing Cobra Energy Drink, 82-74, Thursday at the Trace College gym here.

Veteran guard Ricky Ricafuente sizzled against for the host squad which finished the elims with a 2-1 record to arrange a face-off with early finalist Ascof Lagundi.

The Ascof Lagundi Cough Busters, meantime, completed a three-game sweep of the Laguna edition by outlasting Mandaue-Cebu, 77-75, to gain a two-point bonus in the tournament jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga ng Pilipinas.

The Cough Busters squandered a 12-point advantage, 60-48, but hung tough – thanks to the gutsy plays of veteran forward Edwin Asoro and Fil-Am Jonathan Uyloan – to prevail.

Ascof Lagundi and Treston-Laguna are playing for the championship as of presstime.

For a while, the Mandaue Landmasters appeared headed for a big win as they took a 73-70 on a triple by Nanni Gabas and jumper by by Raoul Latonio.

The 6-foot-4 Asoro, however, rose to the occasion, scoring four points that sandwiched a basket by Uyloan to give back the lead to Ascof Lagundi for good.

Ricafuente, on the other hand, unloaded 18 of his team-high 21 points after the Ironmen threatened at 51-49.

The 5-foot-11 shooting guard knocked down two triples that gave the Stallion a 61-56 breather at the end of the third period before greeting the Ironmen with a seven-point explosion at the start of the payoff period to finally seal the deal.

“We’re the first host team to be in the finals and this is a good motivation for us. We were beaten by Ascof Lagundi in our first meeting but this is an entirely different ball game,” said Laguna coach Nomar Isla.

It was a disappointing campaign for Cobra after being hailed as the team to beat after winning the Gensan leg of the TOP last week. The Ironmen, who dropped all their three games in the elims, can gain a point if they beat they beat the Landmasters in the battle for third place.

This marks the second time that the Cough Busters will be playing in the finals after losing to the powerhouse Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu in the Manila leg finals three weeks ago.

The scores:
First Game
ASCOF LAGUNDI 77 — Gamalinda 19, Asoro 9, Leynes 9, Taylor 9, Lanete 8, Co 6, Aguilar 6, Mangahas 4, Smith 4, Uyloan 2, Manuel 1, Canlas 0.
MANDAUE-CEBU 75 — Dennison 14, Latonio 11, Gabas 11, Diputado 8, Gerilla 7, Magdadaro 6, Ursal 5, Caputulan 4, Laygo 3, Berame 2, Gavina2, Villaver 2, Zanoria 0.
Quarters: 24-22, 40-38, 63-54, 77-75

Second Game
TRESTON LAGUNA 82 — Ricafuente 21, Bolocon 14, Losentes 9, Musngi 7, Angeles 6, Sanz 5, Mangahas 5, Mercado 4, Legaspi 4, Aquino 4, Gloriosa 2, Grijaldo 1.
COBRA ENERGY DRINK 74 – Canizares 22, Llagas 14, Barua 11, Tecson 9, Espiritu 6, Bagatsing 6, Lingganay 2, Nabong 2, Afable 2, Acuna 0.
Quarters: 16-25, 49-43, 61-56, 82-74