Harbour Centre earns PBL Finals ticket
abs-cbnnews.com | 05/15/2008 11:47 PM
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PBL defending champion Harbour Centre completed its journey back to the finals as it swept San Mig Coffee 3-0 at the semifinals of the Lipovitan Amino Sports Cup at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex Thursday night.
A report posted on Sportsnews.com said Jason Castro hit the game-winning free throws to pull off the 73-69 win for Harbour Centre. It is his final playing year with the defending champion Batang Pier before joining the Australian National Basketball League.
Castro converted two free throws with 36 seconds remaining at the fourth canto to break the game’s ninth and final deadlock. The charities gave Harbour Centre the lead, 71-69.
Seconds later, he converted another charity to push the scores to 72-69, before finally closing it at 73-69.
It will be Harbour Centre’s fifth trip to the finals as they again target the league championship.
"It always feels good to be in the finals, whether it’s the first or the fifth time," coach Jorge Gallent was quoted as saying. "But my hats off to San Mig Coffee. They really gave us a very good fight."
During Thursday’s first match, Burger King hacked out a 70-69 win over Hapee Toothpaste to stay alive in their own semis series.
Chris Baluyot saved the day for the Whoppers by sinking a clutch basket with only 45 seconds remaining at the final quarter. It was the only time he scored in the game.
Hapee may still be leading the best-of-five series at 2-1, but the win has brought the momentum back to Burger King.
They will again face each other Friday in Trece Martirez, Cavite for Game 4.
