Metro League U17: Las Piñas forces rubber match
by Ernest Hernandez
Las Piñas came alive in the final quarter to stun Makati, 67-66, in the Southern Division Semifinals of the Metro League U17 Division at the STRIKE Gymnasium on Thursday.
Jericho Reyes scored the game-winning free throw and the game-saving steal in crunch time as the fourth-seeded Junior Defenders forced their series against the top-seeded Junior Skyscrapers to a deciding match.
Reyes finished with 29 points, four rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one block for Las Piñas, which can complete the upset on Saturday.
Jericho Mateto tallied 17 points, 16 rebounds, one assist, and one block for Makati.
The winner of the rubber match will face Bacoor in the South Finals.
Bacoor got a free ride to the next round after Pasay forfeited their supposed clash.
Scores:
Las Piñas 67 – Reyes 29, Valencia D. 10, Montero 8, Panganiban 8, Petilla 8, Garcia 4, Cayabyab 0, Fontanilla 0, Ladra 0, Lampano 0, Valencia N. 0
Makati 66 – Mateto 17, Quijano 14, Isidro 11, Celis R. 9, Natividad 8, Parane 4, Raz 3, Atilon 0, Celis L. 0, Velasco 0.
Quarterscores: 17-20, 33-37, 44-55, 67-66
