For the third straight time, North America and the Philippines will square off in another much-awaited tussle in the PSL Global Championship Challenge.
This time, the stakes are a lot higher as they dispute no less than the Born 2008 division crown.
On Saturday, both teams showed their readiness to arrange the titular showdown when they breezed past their respective semifinals opponents at the Victoria Sports Club in Quezon City.
Just as expected, North America, represented by players from NABA Intercity, blasted New Zealand-Fil Nation Select, 94-52, with Jagger Versoza and Christopher Paul Albano finishing with a double-double performance.
Versoza came away with 22 points and 10 rebounds while Albano chipped in 14 points on top of 10 boards in another dominant show for North America, which entered the championship round in high spirits after posting seven wins in as many games.
The Philippines, represented by Pampanga-Luid, experienced stiff resistance earlier from Canada-GIGG but a telling 12-0 run allowed the local boys turn a close game into a rout all the way to a convincing 97-74 triumph in the other semis match.
With the game tied at 21-all early in the fourth, the Philippines unleashed 12 unanswered points which set the tone for the breakaway and never looked back from there.
Yujin Peña, the reigning Most Valuable Player in the recent National Finals, powered his way for 22 points and flexed his strength down low by grabbing 14 boards to spearhead the Philippines’ entry to the championship round.
This will be the third encounter of the Philippines and North America.
In the first two games, North America won in convincing fashions.
