LA Union handed Pampanga its first defeat, 104-95, on Wednesday to move a win away from a spot in the finals of the National Basketball League-Pilipinas (NBL) Chairman’s Cup 2022 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Kriss Kelly Gurtiza scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds while Billy Boado added 24 points. Jap Pambid also had 18 to help the PAOwer take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three semifinals on the road against the Delta.
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It was the first defeat for the three-time defending champion Delta this conference after taking the No. 1 seed for a perfect 8-0 win-loss run in the elimination round.
La Union also avenged its 93-90 defeat to Pampanga in the eliminations last November 27 in Pili, Camarines Sur.
La Union can close the series and move to the finals on Sunday at the Hagonoy Sports Complex in Taguig City.
Taguig defeated Bulacan, 88-79, in the opener of the other semifinal pairing.
Dan Natividad had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the second-seeded Generals, who can clinch a finals series at their home floor on Sunday.
The PAOwer beat CamSur Express, 106-91, and the DF Republicans won over Quezon City, 91-80, last Sunday at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex to move to the semifinals.
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