Snowbird Sando Bags beat defending champion Wishcraft 81-75 in Friday night’s Grace Alumni Basketball League (GABL) knock out match at Pace Academy in Quezon City.

Snowbird, crippled by the absence of their second leading scorer Chino Guasa, was handicapped early in the game when leading scorer Bryan Bernabe brought the wrong jersey to the game.

Playing Coach Jason Ang, masterfully shuffled his available men to stay in the game while waiting for Bernabe’s jersey to be brought to the game in the last few minutes of the 2nd quarter.

The Sando Bag makers, who have made a habit of coming from behind to eventually win the game, trailed 27-34 at the half and 54-56 at the end of 3rd quarter.

Trailing almost the whole game, Coach Ang’s troops hung around and kept the game within reach. His experience as Architect might have been his secret to pull off such poise under pressure, showing no signs of panic throughout the game.

Michael Guiao led Snowbird with 20 points, teamed up with Pastor Victor Ramoy and Rendell Ching who combined for 20 to keep the game close at half time. Bernabe picked up from thereon, scoring 19 all in the second half.

Dayle Ng quietly scored 16 points ang grabbed 11 rebounds.

Jonathan Yu paced Wishcraft with 18 points, while Mandy Yao and Andy Tan backed him up with 12 and 11 points respectively.

No. 6 seed Snowbird is a win away from the championship game, will face No. 2 seed Kopinando on Sunday, 2pm at Philippine Buddhacare Academy Gym.

Winner between Snowbird and Kopinando will advance to the finals. Championship game is on March 13, 8:30pm at Philippine Buddhacare Academy Gym.

Uhr-Kraft Watch team swept its first 10 games and got an automatic finals slot.