Pharex ousts Licealiz, earns first PBL finals berth

MANILA, Philippines – Pharex earned the franchise’s first ever finals stint after ousting Licealiz, 78-71, in Thursday’s PBL PG Flex Unity Cup game at the San Juan Gym. The Bidang Generix dropped the series opener, 83-72, but won the next three games to wrap up the best-of-five semifinals showdown against the Hair Doctors, 3-1. Francis Allera delivered six points, including a killer three-pointer, in an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter to give Pharex an eight-point lead, 73-65. Chris Ross capped that rally with two free throws off an Earn Saguindel foul, 1:28 left in the clock. “Every (conference) we set out to get better," said Pharex coach Carlo Tan. “We stuck to our guys and their sacrifice paid off." Allera paced Pharex with 17 points, going perfect (6-of-6) from the free throw line. John Melegrito contributed 14 markers behind a 5-of-5 shooting from the field and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Ronnie Matias had 13 points and seven rebounds while Ian Saladaga put up 11 markers, seven rebounds, two assists and two block shots. Ross, who starred for Pharex in Games 2 and 3, tallied 10 points to go with his five rebounds, eight assists, a steal and one block shot. Dino Daa led the Hair Doctors with 14 points and six assists and Jeff Morial chipped in 13 markers. Pharex initially led by as much 12 in the second quarter, 30-18, but Licealiz had a torrid comeback behind Morial in the third to keep the game close. The last time the Hair Doctors had the upperhand was at 65-62 with a James Sena field goal. This is the Bidang Generix’s best showing in three conferences. Its best finish was a quarterfinal sting in last conference’s PG Flex Linoleum Cup. Former UAAP most valuable player and PG Flex Unity Cup leading MVP candidate Jervy Cruz was held to just nine points missing all of his nine field goal attempts while going 9-of-16 from the foul line. – GMANews.TV