Guy-guy Pondoc topped the tally board with 23 points, including four steals, as Sharjah United/Digital Clues stormed back from a first half deficit to carve out a lopsided 108-91 win against Dubai Drydocks in the 8th PBA Filipino Basketball Conference last week.
Pondoc used all of his quality time inside the court in a dazzling performance that led seven players in double figures.
Allan Caputolan and Don-don Delos Santos contributed 15 points apiece, Jerick Arano 12, Richard Caliao, Louie Rosios, and Jerry Betinol completed the cast of sharpshooters finding their targets with 10 points apiece.
"I know I still have the springy legs and good touch, so to put these into action, all I need is playing time," reacted Pondoc.
The Docksiders, who clobbered their two previous opponents by the slimmest of margins, re-ignited their ambitious campaign when Ricky Vinoya garnered 11 of his team-high 28 points to grab a 27-19 cushion in the first half.
At the start of the second quarter, Kid Alvarez continued the onslaught with a 6-2 run to pad their lead 31-21. J. Betinol, Caliao, Redulosa, and Arano retaliated with a 13-2 assault that jostled them breathing down the Docksiders' neck 32-33 with seven minutes remaining. Vinoya, off Arano's only personal foul, completed a three-point play for 36-32.
In the other semifinal, UAE Exchange, led by the combined 46-point output (23 points apiece) of Roy Lura and Sonny Toring, nosed out Gimik 93-89 in their quest to take the PBA-Dubai 8th conference title to Abu Dhabi.
Dubai International, led by Ronald Hawkins with 25 points and 11 rebounds, won by the skin of their teeth 80-77 over Jumeirah International to remain unscathed with two wins.
JW Marriott finally barged into the win column when they edged defending champion Crowne Plaza 91-90 in a nail-biting contest.
Gargash Enterprises has now an unblemished record (2-0) when they caught David Nicholson's squad napping and escaped with a 77-70 win.
Leader Sports/Kabayan Disco chalked up their first win in two games when Marzan Santos fired a game-high 33 points and 11 rebounds to beat Masaood John Brown 85-62.
