LIPS advances to Final Four

The Final Four of the Budweiser-Coca Cola 6th UFO Inter-Organizational Basketball League is now set after LIPS-Mobil defeated Cavite-Country House, 86-78, Sunday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

With the win, LIPS secured a shot at the coveted title and prevented Cavite and NAMFREL-Region V/Sabungero from getting another chance.

Just a day after a down-the-wire victory over NAMFREL, LIPS was back at it again and didn’t show any sign of fatigue.

The team trailed in the first quarter as Cavite opened strong courtesy of a 10-point explosion by Bernard Montano to take a 22-18 lead.

The lead swung to LIPS’ corner as scoring phenom Andres “Jhun” Estolas Jr., who pumped in 38 points in the team’s win over NAMFREL, attacked the paint, drew many fouls, and went 6-for-6 at the charity line, while adding another two buckets for 10 points.

With Estolas doing his thing and former IVYBL MVP Kevin Cequena coming in support with three baskets, LIPS was able to turn their deficit into a seven-point advantage at the break, 46-39.

Both teams matched each other well at the start of the second half, with Cavite managing to inch a point closer, 58-64.

Cavite had a good shot at staging the come-from-behind win and came to within three points on a couple of occasions as Bogs Dayrit connected on consecutive triples.

Dayrit pumped in another long-range jumper but key turnovers down the stretch and big baskets by Cequena enabled LIPS to pull ahead for the win.

Cequena was named Itsukan Player of the Game and led LIPS with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals, while Rowell Aranda supported him with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Estolas also had a solid game with 17 points.

Montano led Cavite with 20 points, while Dayrit and Chris Domingo added 18 and 11 points.

LIPS joins defending champion Visminda-Tambayan/Nel Atalig, Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense-Flor A. Miranda, and Cabalen-RP Construction/Transamerica in the Final Four.

LIPS 86 – Cequena 27, Estolas 17, Aranda 15, Artates 11, Espinosa 6, Abuy 6, Diaz 3.

Cavite 78 – Montano 20, B. Dayrit 18, Domingo 11, J. Dayrit 8, Olayres 8, Tolentino 6, Arconado 5, Zapata 2.

Scoring by quarters: 18-22, 46-39, 64-58, 86-78.

Referees: Jess Pacheco, Arnold Mesa, and Eric Artillaga.