Trojans draw level with Gulf Craft

Holders Trojans leveled their best-of-three semi-final series with a 97-91 win over Gulf Craft in the Class B-C category of the fourth Pinoy Big Brother League at the Dubai Club for Special Sports. Meanwhile, Gulf Craft’s team in the Junior Class C Division closed their series with Spearhead, after posting a convincing 86-69 win. They will face Jazzville in the finals, who trounced Gideki 106-83. Dubai International Hotel continued their domination in the Inter-hotel division. They eliminated Atlantis Titans in the semi-final, 74-66, and will challenge to take the crown from defending champions Crowne Plaza, who trashed Fairmont Hotel, 86-63. Trojans, the defending champions in the Class B-C category, took advantage of Gulf Craft’s depleted line-up and led from start to finish to force game 3 in the semi-final. They erected a 10-point margin at the end of the first quarter, 28-18, and were fierce in the second period protecting their double-digit lead, 51-39, before the half-time break.Gulf Craft, however, came out with better defence and staged a 22-15 rally in middle of third quarter to come closer, 66-61, with less than five minutes left in the period. But Trojans overturned their uprising and regained the upper hand with a 74-63 lead going to the fourth quarter. Gulf Craft made a final drive in the fourth quarter steered by Archie Cruz and powerful drives to the basket by UAE national player Khalifa Salem. Gulf Craft cut down the deficit to just five points, 84-79, with less than four minutes left on the clock but the big men of Trojans took control of the match by dominating the boards and getting more second-chance points. Trojans protected their lead and forged a 97-91 victory. Former PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) professional player Sonny Toring led Trojans with an impressive double-double performance (18 points and 11 rebounds). He was followed by Philip Moradas with 15 points; Jiggy Apil 13; Jeremy Ponce 13; Lee Boliver 12; and Benjie Cabanilla 10. Cruz top-scored for Gulf Craft with 33 points, including five triples while Salem scattered 21 markers. Hardworking wingmen Rommel Caberte and Alwyn Flores contributed 10 points each. The winner between Trojans and Gulf Craft will meet Western Union who entered final after they defeated Acqua V-Mobile, 94-73. gulftoday .