Joshbianc Motors and Robinhood Commercial will clash tonight for the championship in the Your Basketball Athletic Club 1st Conference Presidential Cup 2012 at the West Negros University gym.

Although YBAC games are scheduled on weekends, tournament organizers said they decided to move the final game on a weekday to give way to the NOPSSCEA basketball games that will start tomorrow.

Joshbianc earned a ticket to the final after beating Jaltas/Consuelos Supermart, 95-93, in the semifinals.

A strong first quarter performance from the Motors allowed the squad a 10-point lead at 28-18 with Eric Abanilla scoring 4 points and Marlon Caballero contributing nine points, as guard and former YBAC president Jun Ballesteros dished out seven assists. Ernie Castillo provided the opening spark for Jaltas with 14 points in the first quarter.

In the second period, Jaltas managed to neutralize Joshbianc’s offense on a 23-24 quarter-point production as Edgard Gallo scored 11 points, including three triples, while Narciso Galang delivered eight points.

With Tsai hauling a number of rebounds and executing timely shot blocks, Jaltas tied the scored at 36-all with 4:06 minutes left, but turnovers in the closing minutes of the second quarter allowed Joshbianc to recover and get back the lead at halftime, 52 – 41.

In the third quarter, Jaltas/Consuelo’s came out sizzling in the early minutes but the Gallo was forced to sit down after earning his fourth foul with 8:40 left.

Joshbianc’s outside shooting kept Consuelo’s at bay as physical play flared up in the painted area with both clubs trying to deny each other every basket opportunity.

Consuelo’s rallied to cut the lead at 62-60 and finally overtook Joshbianc, 63-62, on a ashort jumper from Pete Apura late in the third quarter.

Keeping their composure, Joshbianc relied on Ballesteros’ defensive stops in the back court to prevent Consuelo’s transition offense as player-coach Oscar Aquino powered his way inside and booked a foul to extend the lead at 68-65.

With 14 seconds left in the third, Consuelo committed an inbound error to send the ball back to Joshbianc.

With both squads tied at 67-all, Ian Locsin escaped from his defender and took a baseline jumper with 3.6 seconds left to give the Motors a three-point lead as Consuelo’s failed to nail a shot as the clock expired.

Several lead changes in the fourth quarter put both teams on a defensive mode until Consuelo’s Coco Rodrigo hit five straight baskets for 10 points to give his team a two-point advantage.

But, Abanilla nailed a jumper to equalize the game at 93-all with 37 seconds left.

With the momentum shifting to Joshbianc’s side, Consuelo felt the pressure and failed to convert a basket and fouled Magay, who eventually split his charities to give Joshbianc a one-point lead, 94-93.

With time winding down, Consuelo rushed to score a basket but the shot went off the rim with the clock winding down to the last 17 seconds.

Magay, who was fouled with two second left, seal the match for Joshbianc as he split his free throws, once again, for the 95-93 final tally.

In the other semifinals match, Robinhood dumped RD Trucking, 104-91.*

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