Moni Plus win first final spot

MONI Plus secured the first slot for the grand finals when they defeated defending premiers Eltech 60-55 in a hotly contested game at Don Bosco Indoor Gym last Sunday.
Moni Plus rookie forward Gerry Roxas led his team with 15 points and picked up good support from team mates Oliver Regondola with 13, Bob Abraham 9 and Dondon Bacani 7.
This is the second championship appearance for Moni Plus since joining FILBA four years ago. They lost to SVS Mart in the 2008 finals.
Eltech felt the absence of 2010 MVP power forward Marlon Pabro while Moni Plus missed the services of forward Colin Wiltshire.
The former is away on holiday and the latter has since left the country.
Moni Plus started the game with a 3-point shot from Wally Parapa and followed by another triple from Oliver Regondola.
Eltech relied heavily on the shoulders of slot man Apia Muri who got support from Joven Dampil.
The first quarter score was 17-16.
In the second quarter it was Oliver Regondola’s turn to shine hitting a 3pt plus a couple of field goals to increase the lead to six to, 33-27 at the break.
Eltech bounced back in the third quarter, courtesy of Apiah Muri, Winlove Cuatchon and Joven Dampil.
They won this quarter 19-16, cutting down the lead to three, 49-46 before the final turn.
In the final quarter, Moni Plus stepped up on defence to force turnovers for Eltech and forward Gerry Roxas took control of the ball game scoring his six points of this total 15 on this quarter alone.
Meanwhile, Primus dumped SVS 71-75 to gain a chance to play Eltech next Sunday for the second slot in the FINALS berth.