Senior division teams engaged in intense games

The Cathay Pacific-Al Ghurair Exchange-Emirates Post sponsored PBA 20002 all-Filipino basketball tournament moved to higher gear as the four qualifiers in the seniors division get entangled in the more intense games of the semifinals round.

Road Builders, who topped the eliminations series with a 5-1 win/loss record, is joined by Makati Restaurant, Al Ghurair Exch /Homera Decor, and Mabuhay-DHL to complete the cast who will vie for the championship trophy.

Al Ghurair/Homera pulled away with 22-13 advantage at the middle of the first quarter.They landed in a 34-21 cushion at the end of the first quarter.

As the pressure continued to pile on, Makati's gave in to the pressure created by Al Ghurair/Homera to get into a 53-27 lead. They then held on to a 56-36 halftime advantage.

They returned to the third quarter and responded with a 25-13 run to cut the lead 61-69 at the third quarter. The Food Servers tasted the reversal of fortune (11-2 run) for a 72-72 tie - just two minutes into the fourth quarter.

After timeout called by coach Andrew Del Rosario Ronnie Rago, Celso Surabia and Michael Aliparo reversed the tide that put them back in the driver's seat 85-74 with 45 seconds remaining.

Al Ghurair/Homera D'cor will test their mettle against the formidable Road Builders- both opening game winners in the semifinals.

Road Builders, led by Ritchie Azarcon with 23 points, nudged Mabuhay-DHL 97-87 in the other semifinal game.

In the inter-hotel division, Dubai International edged past Fairmont Hotel 93-89.

J.W. Marriott crushed Towers Rotana 90-54. Le Meredien Dubai remained unbeaten in the elimination with a close 86-83 shave over Dutco Hotels.