Microl, Ol’Aces advance to Bud Cup semis

Three-time defending champion Ol’Aces-Budweiser and No. 4 seed Microl-Bud Ice advanced to the semifinals of the ongoing 2006 Budweiser Cup BANMI Men’s Island-wide Basketball League Saturday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Ol’Aces earned their semis ticket after winning via forfeit over No Zone-Bacardi, while Microl held off a late charge by Cyclones-O’Doul’s to stay alive.

Microl was given a run for its money as the Cyclones were determined to advance as well, but in the end, the Bud Ice team was able to nail key free throws to escape with a 101-93 victory.

With the win, Microl earned the right to face pennant champion Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense-Bud Light at 6pm this Saturday. The winner of the bout will move on to the championship game.

There were a couple occasions when it seemed like Microl was going to run away with the win. However, each time they went on a run, the Cyclones were able to retaliate and go on a run of their own to keep within striking distance.

Microl came out strong as Andres Estolas hit two triples and Kevin Cequena and Eric Dalangin had one a piece to spearhead a 30-21 run.

The Cyclones, however, were not intimidated and fought back in the second quarter, inching to within eight points right before halftime, 43-51.

Microl was able to regain its double-digit lead by dominating the start of the second half, but like they did in the first half, the Cyclones responded with a fury and this time, sliced the deficit to just four points, 51-55, when Dave Palacios made good on a fast break layup with 7:37 left.

Microl was quick to respond, though, and went on a 4-0 run to widen the gap before closing the period with an 11-point advantage, 74-63. Coming up big for Microl was Dalewin Cortez, who went 6-for-6 from the free throw line while also adding two field goals for 10 points.

Give credit to the Cyclones as the team refused to give up. Already down by 18 points, the Cyclones put up another big charge as the team hustled on defense, forced countless turnovers, and converted at the offensive end to again pull to within four points, 93-97, with 42.8 seconds left in the game.

That was as close as they got though as Estolas and Cortez swished four free throws for the final score.

Estolas and Kevin Cequena led Microl with 24 and 21 points, while Dalangin and Cortez finished with 16 points apiece.

Gary Lashley led the Cyclones with 18 points, while Palacios and K.C. Yangilmao supported with 16 points apiece. Justin Fejeran also had 13 points, while Tyler Yu and Bruce Berline pumped in 12 points apiece.

The Ol’Aces, meanwhile, will face the Wells Fargo CNMI Nationals at 8pm on Saturday.

The winners of Saturday’s bouts will then face off for the title on Sunday at 8pm. The losers will battle in the consolation game at 6pm.

Microl 101 – Estolas 24, Cequena 21, Dalangin 16, Cortez 16, Delos Reyes 8, Factor 7, Domingo 5, Mendoza 4.

Cyclones 93 – Lashley 18, Palacios 16, Yangilmao 16, Fejeran 13, Yu 12, Berline 12, Raho 6.

Scoring by quarters: 30-21, 51-43, 74-63, 101-93.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Eric Artillaga.