Fil-American Frankie Johnson caught fire as the Zamboanga Valientes ousted the Macau Bears, 90-82, to punch their semis ticket in the second leg of The Asian Tournament at the City of Passi Arena in Iloilo Friday, May 24.

Johnson, a former PBA player, drilled four triples to finish with 24 points including timely baskets down the stretch to help the Valientes carry a 2-1 card and secure the No. 2 spot  in Group B.

Malick Diouf also shone for Zamboanga as he chalked up 12 points and seven rebounds while Nick Evans backstopped him with double-double output of 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Filipino guards took the spotlight as well in Peter Alfaro who scattered 12 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Mike Tolomia added 10 points and six assists.

The Valientes actually had a comfortable 83-69 lead in the final frame but almost squandered it as Tyrone Nesby and the Black Bears refused to go home without a fight after trimming the gap to just six, 83-77, with three minutes remaining.

That was when veterans Evans, Tolomia, Johnson and Rickey Brice delivered timely hits to spoil Macau’s final hurrah in the waning minutes.

Nesby erupted with 38 points for Macau in a losing cause.

Up next for Zamboanga is top-ranked team from Pool A in a sudden death semis match on Sunday, May 26, at the same venue.