Happy Journey’s top scorers went on a rampage and were unstoppable in the latter part of the game as they claimed a convincing 91-78 victory over Pampanga VDB in the Aspirants Division of the Nissan Cup 2016.
The tournament hosted by Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ) has advanced to the crucial semi-final rounds.
The duo — M Pradas and M Parico —dominated 26 and 23 points respectively. Their momentum remained unperturbed despite several attempts by the rivals of answering back with their own rally.
The defining moment of Happy Journey was the conversion of Parico’s basket from beyond the arc with 2:03 left in the third quarter that sealed a comfortable 13-point edge and from then on they never looked back to maintain a double-digit advantage until the final buzzer sounded.
Pampanga’s Paul Castillo and Fermin Bigcas tried to stage a comeback with back-to-back baskets with still 8:45 left in the last quarter cutting the lead to just nine points but Pradas and Parico were always there to come to the rescue to crawl back the double digit edge.
Castillo’s conversion in the crossover drive put his squad with another glimpse of hope inching closer to another eight-point deficit with 4:34 left.
A 15-point edge by Happy Journey with 3:02 left in the game with the masterful command of the game of the magic duo sealed the game for good for them.
In the other game, Jireh Eagles managed another victory over Warriors, 80-66, to secure the other finals slot in the hotly contested tournament in the division.
The Nissan 21st Season Men’s Championship Cup of Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ) is presented by Ooredoo and McDonald’s Qatar. The tournament is brought by Qatar Basketball Federation and the Philippine embassy in Qatar and co-sponsored by Alicafe, Diana Jewellery and Watches, GO Sports, Philippine Airlines, Filipino Community Center, Fraser Suites Hotel and Shuttersbug Photography.
Mark Louie Pradas of Happy Journeys (right) in action against Pampanga VDB in the Aspirants Division of the Nissan Cup.
