CEBU CITY. – Dazz ’Sang Patak and M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala
set up an explosive title duel by downing their respective semis rivals in the
1st Talk N Text MVBA Invitational Tournament Wednesday at the Cebu Coliseum
here.
The Dazz Kitchen Specialists used a torrid first quarter
performance as a springboard to an easy 87-69 win over Hotel Fortuna Firely and
barge into the finals for the second time in three tournaments.
Dazz made it to the finals of the PBL Silver Cup early this
February but was eliminated early in the succeeding tournament, the Unity Cup.
M. Lhuillier secured the first finals berth by overpowering
Burger King 93-79 through the inspired performances of Leo Bat-og, Mike Manigo
and Lyndon Gudez.
Robert Sanz and Reed Juntilla scattered eight points each
right in the first quarter that set the tone for Dazz’s runaway win in the
tournament sanctioned by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas.
Also shining for Dazz was Chico Lanete, one of three Harbour
Centre players in the team.
Aside from providing the needed stability to the team, Lanete,
the PBL’s back-to-back Finals MVP, fired 17 points, 11 of them in the payoff
period where he single-handedly repulsed Fortuna’s rally.
Sanz led the Bernard Yang-managed team with 24 points, 17 of
them in the first half, while Juntilla also produced 17 markers.
