R1-CHESAA BASKETBALL LEAGUE

THE Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes and University of Luzon Golden Tigers booked a return trip to the championship by repulsing their respective opponents in the semifinal games of the Region 1-Cordillera Higher Education Schools Athletic Association Basketball League held last September 26 at Dagupan People’s Astrodome.

While the 2016 UCAAP champions Dukes orchestrated a strong finish on the fourth and final quarter to overthrow the visiting Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University of La Union, 95-82, the multi-titled Tigers endured its toughest test yet in their cage life by eking out a 109-108 pulsating victory via triple overtime over their tormentor and last year PRISAA champions Philippine College of Science and Technology Topnotch.

Topnotch never gave up the front in the first three quarters, 15-12, 38-27, 61-52, and trailed by a mere single point, 77-78, before the regulation time expired. It was on the brink to eke out the victory before the regulation time expired but its point-guard Philip Medina split his two free throws to force the match to an overtime, the first.

Ditto happened in the second overtime, 91-91, when Medina halved again his two charities four seconds left. That visibly irked his coach Christian Calaguio.

Tigers and Topnotch countered baskets with each other and tied the score at 103-103 for the third overtime, but the veteran Tigers got the break in the last minute of five despite missing four consecutive free throws, to squeeze the win by single point to the delight of the UL crowd.

The Tigers and Dukes will square off for the title on October 2 at 1:30 p.m. (Jesus Garcia Jr.)

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