Hapee Toothpaste ended Pharex's Cinderella run with an 84-81 victory plus the last semis berth in the PBL PG-Flex Linoleum Cup Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The charities made by both Chris Tiu and Fil-Am Josh Vanlandingham in the last 11.5 seconds preserved the heroics of big man Jervy Cruz, who finished with a double-double, 19 points and 10 rebounds.
With the win, Hapee Toothpaste Complete Protectors joined six-peat campaigner Harbour Centre Batang Pier, Magnolia Purewater, and Bacchus in the Final Four.
Aside from clinching an outright semis berth, the Batang Pier also earned the right to choose its Final Four opponent. They chose the Complete Protectors, whom they defeated in three finals duels, including the last two conferences.
Though Tiu finished only with seven points, he earned accolades from his team, especially coach Gee Abanilla.
“I think Chris Tiu gave us great help but we should give credit also to other players, especially our big guys like si Jervy. Hindi pa nagagamay si Chris sa sistema pero he has a big basketball IQ,” said Abanilla.
Tiu, who practiced with the team only last Monday, also had four rebounds and the same number of assists in 28 minutes of action.
“Definitely tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbabalik ni Chris. He is committed to play until the end of the conference,” added Abanilla.
Magnolia, the other team which advanced automatically in the semis, collides with Bacchus in the other semis duel.
Pharex Generix came into the game the clear favorites, having won their fives games, including Game 1 of their quarterfinal series against the Complete Protectors, 76-61, on Saturday.
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