DOTA/Layla Line Contracting edged Delta Mechanical Services (DMS) 76-73 to reach the Class ‘B’ semi-final of the Pinoy Bahrain Basketball League (PBBL) Charity Tournament 2018.
Dota made a good start led by their trio of Rio Abanilla, Jonjon Abanilla and Edward Matammu, but DMS were able to find their rhythm and bounced back behind Cary Cuerpo and Jason Acebes.
In the game’s final minutes, the two teams traded baskets over multiple possessions until Acebes scored four straight points to give DMS their first lead at 72-70 with only 59 seconds to play. Jonjon Abanilla then quickly answered for Dota with a layup of his own to make it 72-all, and he then made two crucial free-throws to put them back in the lead, 74-72, with 33 seconds remaining.
A Jhundy Valdez split from the charity stripe made it 73-74 with 16 seconds to go, but then Dota’s Matammu sealed the game with a layup for the final score.
With the result, Dota move on to the final four where they will next clash with the number one-ranked team, GBS Photography, tomorrow at 9.35am at A’ali Cultural and Sports Club. GBS advanced following their own 76-73 win over White Hawks.
The other semi-final will be contested between EB Team and Hoops at 8.10am tomorrow. EB booked their berth after beating Kia/Bin Hindi Motors 86-58, while Hoops won over Zenjex/Gilas Pilipinas 58-57.