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South Cotabato squeaked past Binan Tatak Gel, 79-77, on Wednesday and clinched the last semifinal slot in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season on Wednesday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
The South Cotabato Warriors got the lift from Jervy Cruz, who canned two free throws and Marwin Dionisio, who split his two, for the marginal points in the dying seconds that ended their South Division quarterfinal series at 2-1.
Binan’s Kenny Roger Rocacurva earlier flubbed a layup, while teammate Carlo Lastimosa missed a potential game-reversing three at the buzzer.
Binan could have at least tied the game had Marc Pingris made all of his four charities, instead of just two, when the Lagunenses moved ahead, 75-74.
South Cotabato rallied to nip Binan, 85-82, in Game 1, while Binan pipped South Cotabato, 70-69, in Game 2 to force the decider.
South Cotabato will tangle with the waiting Batangas City Tanduay Rum on Monday, Oct. 28, in the opener of their South semifinal series.
Mark Cruz struck for the Warriors with 13 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds to earn the Daily Fantasy best player honors. He wa supported by Jervy Cruz with 18 points and 3 rebounds and Larry Rodriguez with 12 points and 3 rebounds.
Lastimosa posted a game-high 27 points and 9 rebounds, Rocacurva 16 points and 5 rebounds and Pingris with 12 points and 8 rebounds.
Val Acuna canned two charities with 4 seconds left to lift South Cotabato to a 66-60 lead after three quarters.
The Warriors shrugged off a flat start, 0-9, to lead at the break, 45-42, through the efforts of Larry Rodriguez, Jervy Cruz and Mark Cruz.
Rodriguez scored 12 points while the Cruzes added 9 points each to negate Carlo Lastimosa’s 14 points and Kenny Roger Rocacurva’s 10 in that span.
MPBL founder and CEO Manny Pacquiao watched the game with wife Jinkee to the delight of the packed crowd.