In a thrilling display of composure under pressure, former UAAP scoring king Nicael Cabanero delivered when it mattered most, guiding the Chase Tower Runs (CTR) to a nail-biting 92-88 victory over Welec Trucking Services. The intense semifinal clash in the Cebu City Christmas League basketball tournament unfolded on Friday, December 19, 2025, at the City Sports Institute Gym in Barangay Sawang Calero.
From Commanding Lead to Halftime Deficit
The powerhouse CTR squad started strong, quickly establishing a 10-point lead at 25-15 by the end of the first quarter. However, the star-studded Welec lineup, led by the explosive backcourt duo of NCAA standout Jonathan "Titing" Manalili and UAAP guard Reinhard Jumamoy, caught fire. Their scoring barrage from all angles completely shifted the momentum, allowing Welec to seize a 47-41 advantage heading into halftime.
Welec's Surge Met with CTR's Fierce Resolve
Welec's dominance continued after the break. With Manalili and Jumamoy controlling the perimeter, and the interior trio of Reeve Ugsang, Jammer Jamito, and Elmer Chavez taking charge, they unleashed a devastating 17-9 run to start the third quarter. This surge gave Welec their largest lead at 64-50, putting CTR on the ropes and silencing their supporters.
Refusing to surrender, CTR dug deep. Team captain Nicael Cabanero ignited the comeback with two consecutive layups, sparking a critical 17-7 rally. He was ably supported by Jared Bahay, Michael Maestre, and Kenny Roger Rocacurva, as CTR clawed their way back to within four points, 71-67, by the end of the third period.
The Deciding Moments and Championship Berth
The fourth quarter was a tense back-and-forth affair. The game's pivotal moment came when Will McAloney's crucial tip-in gave CTR the lead for good at 80-79. Using his experience and size, McAloney dominated the low post down the stretch. Veterans Jun Manzo, Ted Saga, and Michael Maestre also made key contributions to seal the hard-fought 92-88 win despite Welec's last-ditch efforts.
With this victory, CTR has virtually secured a championship showdown with the Blancas Golden Knights, who earlier clinched the first finals spot by edging the Mighty Warriors, 84-83. The title game is scheduled for Sunday at 5 p.m., following the battle for third place at 3 p.m.
Cabanero, who finished with 19 points and four rebounds, credited the team's defensive effort and patience. "We just showed our defense, we played as a team and took it one at a time," he said. "It was tough because they are talented players... we needed to stop them, and that's why we were able to get the win." McAloney added 12 points, while Emman Calo led all scorers with 20 points for CTR.
For Welec, Manalili paced his team with 19 points and six assists, Ugsang contributed 15, Jumamoy scored 14, and Jamito had 10 points in a losing effort.
