Duraplus, Mortaseal arrange sudden-death tiffs in Mortabond Cup

Sports

DURAPLUS Lite and Mortaseal Flexi bucked outright elimination when they took down their respective high-ranked opponents to force sudden-death duels in the semifinal round of the Cebu Architects Basketball Club (CABC) 3rd Mortabond Cup 2026 last Sunday, March 15, at the Game Changer Sports Complex in Mandaue City.

The fifth-seeded Duraplas Lite pulled off a 79-74 win over top-ranked Mortashield while the third-ranked Mortaseal Flexi shocked second seed Mortapaint Pro, 97-89.

A pair of knockout matches is scheduled on Sunday, March 22, with the winners advancing to the championship round.

Zach Elisha Go led the way for Duraplas Lite with 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals with Miguel Cenabre adding 13 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, and two steals.

Manuel Niere pitched in 12 points and Ian Ed Lapina contributed 10 in the win.

Mortashield was led by Dexsel Caadan, who piled up 16 points, seven rebounds, five steals, two assists, and two blocks. James Nacario tallied 16 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

Mortaseal Flexi, on the other hand, leaned on Chester Hinagdanan and Criz Matunog to keep its campaign alive with the former finishing with 28 points, six rebounds, five assists, and a steal and the latter firing 26 points.

Also productive for Mortaseal was Jay Devenadera, who tallied 10 points and 20 rebounds as well as Michel Judilla and Justin Aspacio, who tossed in 14 and 10 points, respectively.

John Therese Buhawe paced Mortapaint Pro with 26 points and 16 rebounds.(CCM)