Ralph Andrei Monilla hit two crucial free throws in the dying seconds to lift Gateway Integrated School of Science and Technology to a heart-stopping 67-64 win over Fiat Luxe Academe of Gen. Trias on Friday and claimed the second-final slots in the Cavite leg of the Inaugural National Basketball Championship (NBC) Inter-High at the Bacoor Coliseum.
Monilla's heroic act came with five seconds remaining as he was sent to the line with Gateway holding to a one-point lead. Fiax immediately called a time-out to map out a game-tying play but J. Tungpalan's attempt missed the target allowing GISST cagers to move to the Championship in the knockout-format tournament presented by Jamsap Entertainment Corporation headed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jojo Flores.
Gateway will face NCAA team Philippine Christian University-Cavite in the do-or-die Finals for the right to represent Cavite in the South Luzon Championship in this tourney for boys 19-under from private schools nationwide. Gametim is set today at 3:00 p.m. at the same venue.
The PCU Baby Dolphins advanced via a 95-82 triumph over Western Colleges.
Monilla paced Gateway with 26 points, while K. Dalora was the other player who scored double-digit for GISST with 12 points.
Fiax top player J. Tungpalan led all scorers with a game-high 33 points.
The game was so tight that no team managed to take a double-digit margin.
