ARMED with a twice-to-beat bonus, Premium avoided complications by beating EZ Bond, 80-73, in their semifinal duel in the Cebu Architects Basketball Club (CABC) 2nd Mortabond Cup over the weekend at the Benedicto College Gymnasium in Cebu City.

Chester Hinagdanan flashed his old deadly form, leading Premium with a game-high 36 points on a 15-for-21 shooting from the field. The former MVP winner also had nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block.

Kelvin Cinco ably backed Hinagdanan with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Darren Morandante pitched in 12 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

Kim Rebosura led the eliminated EZ Bond with 22 points, five assists, two steals, and one rebound. Dexsel Caadan contributed 19 points, Justin Aspacio added 13, and Carl Abellana tossed in 10.

In the other semifinal duel, Lite stayed in title contention after it thwarted the twice-to-beat Mortaseal, 65-52.

Carlos Baltar powered Lite with 16 points and seven rebounds. Jonas Panerio was also productive for Lite as he came up with 15 points, four boards, and an assist. Mark Bajenting contributed 12 points in Lite’s crucial win.

Mortaseal shot itself in the foot by firing blanks as it didn’t have a single player scoring in double figures. Klein Baladya and Kurt Damandaman were Mortaseal’s top scorers with nine points apiece.

Lite and Mortaseal will face each other in a do-or-die match for the last championshi berth on May 18.(CCM)

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• #EZ Bond
• #Cebu Architects Basketball Club
• #CABC 2nd Mortabond Cup
• #Chester Hinagdanan
• #Premium