UC’s victory means they will square off once again versus USPF on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. with the winner advancing to the best-of-three finals which starts immediately on Sunday, December 11.
The other semifinal pairing is also going down the wire with the top-seeded University of the Visayas Green Lancers facing off against the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars in another winner-take-all game for the other finals ticket at 5 p.m.
Down by seven, 49-56, heading to the final stanza, the Panthers gave it one last go and pulled to within one, 57-58, after a putback by Ajie Mendez. But the Webmasters were up to the task and responded with five straight points, a free-throw from Joseph Arth Nalos, and transition baskets from Jhiey Paraldo, and Michael Diaz to raise their lead to 63-57.
USPF kept within striking distance, 60-63, thanks to a triple from RR Cauba, but Luther Leonard answered with a free-throw for a 64-60 UC lead. Cauba continued his assault on UC’s defense with a layup off an inbound play to trim the deficit to two, 62-64. However, the Webmasters countered with a floater from Paul Galinato to keep the Panthers at bay with 1:16 remaining.
Mendez scored another basket inside to pull USPF closer, 64-66, with 28 seconds remaining. However, Mark Ecal calmly sank two free-throws to bring UC’s lead to 68-64 with 15 ticks remaining. Cauba made things interesting as he scored a three-pointer to cut UC’s lead down to one, 67-68, with just 1.3 seconds left.
USPF then fouled Nalos who missed both free-throws as time expired, giving UC the victory.
Paraldo led UC with 14 points while Galinato added 11.
Cauba paced USPF with 17 markers.