DOHA: KIA Motors eked out a thrilling game against a tough Flamin’Go team, 114-109, in the overtime period to earn them a ticket for the second slot of the best-of-three championship series against Dukhan Ballers for the Division-B of Subaru Cup 2012 of Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ).
League officials awarded the second finals berth to KIA Motors based on the quotient system after they dumped the other winner in last Friday’s rubber match, Natsco Garage, with 24-point edge during the third semi-finals game.
Natsco defeated CEG International by a 8-point margin, 84-76, but such was not good enough to catch up with the overall point system when the four teams were in a tight contention at the height of the semifinal rounds.
The 27-point contribution of KIA Motors’ Frederick Acosta complemented by the 18-point production of Arjen Tolentino was the big winning factor for the second finalist team.
Acosta was even waxing hot at the start of the game when he rained three successive 3-point play baskets.
The game was tight throughout the four quarters of the game, 16-20, 38-32, 57-70 and-94-all as both teams traded baskets but Tolentino’s seven-point conversions and Aries Jose’s six-point supports was considered by analysts as crucial for their much-needed victory.
It was a painful victory for Natsco Garage even as they unleashed all their might to gain a bigger edge and overcome the higher stake for the second finals slot.
Natsco and CEG were engaged in a tight ballgame in the three quarters, 16-15, 35-39, 58-59, until Natsco left behind CEG in the remaining five minutes.
THE PENINSULA
