All four out-of-town teams complete semis cast

For the first time, there will be no team from Cebu in the semifinal round of the Sinulog Cup basketball tournament.

This as the out-of-towners filled up the Final Four seats of the five-day league played at the Cebu City Sports Institute (CCSI) gym in Barangay Sawang Calero.

Sporting an identical 2-0 records, the Z’Nars Jewelry of Marawi City, OCCCI Sheermasters of Ormoc, Team Klalifa of Tacloban, and United Negros Basketball League (UNBL) All-Stars of Bacolod assured themselves of tickets to the crossover semis scheduled today.

Behind the all-around show of Emman Calo with 15 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, Z’Nars Jewelry outlasted the Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges (CRMC) Mustangs, 100-91, while the UNBLAll-Stars, drawing 22 points, six boards and three dimes from Jafet Claridad and 19 from ex-PBA player Mark Yee, were pushed to the limit before holding off the gritty University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 80-74.

On the other hand, the OCCCI Sheermasters ousted the Chase Tower Runs of shipping magnate and social media influencer Chase Cokaliong via an 85-83 thriller.

Cedric Manzano showed the way for OCCCI with a solid double-double show of 21 points and 12 rebounds while Kobe Christian Palencia chipped in 18 markers, two rebounds, and four assists.

Team Khalifa had the toughest assignment of them all, going through double overtime before knocking out the defending champion EGS, 113-111.

Raymart Escobido exploded for 30 points laced with seven rebounds and two steals for Team Khalifa. He was ably backed up by Elmer Echavez with a spectacular double-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds. –