The road to the SLB Cup Final inches closer to its final destination, as just two teams remain.

The two-legged Semi-Finals took place on Friday and Sunday, and when the dust had settled, the London Lions and Manchester Basketball prevailed to set up a fascinating clash at the AO Arena in Manchester.

London Lions overcome Cheshire Phoenix to keep quadruple hopes going

A dominant first leg was enough for the London Lions, as they overcame a tricky second leg to beat the Cheshire Phoenix 165-156 on aggregate.

The Lions held the Phoenix to just 3/13 from the field in the first quarter to take a commanding 29-11 lead in the first leg at the CopperBox, which proved to be enough as Cheshire played the chasing game throughout, despite shrinking a London lead that had grown to as many as 20 points down to single figures.

Cheshire improved tremendously in the second quarter to make it 48-39 at the break, but Shavar Reynolds Jr. stepped up for the Lions, as he hit nine of his 12 points in the third quarter to ultimately make the game safe.

Deane Williams paced London with 19 points and five rebounds to seal an 89-72 success in the first leg.

Never one to throw in the towel, the Phoenix returned home on Sunday and ambushed London early, racing to an 11-0 start, holding the Lions scoreless in the first three minutes.

But the visitors recovered to restore control, and despite a late flurry from Cheshire, who ended with an 84-76 win, London survived the hosts’ blows.

Pat Robinson led Cheshire with 18 points.

Manchester Basketball to play in dream Final at home

Manchester Basketball advanced to their first SLB Final as they dismissed last season’s runners-up, Surrey 89ers, 200-179 over the two legs to set up a Cup Final showdown with the London Lions in the North-West.

On a night where Niners coach Lloyd Gardner was awarded the Kevin Cadle SLB Coach of the Month for January, it all started so memorably for Surrey. But joy soon turned to despair as Manchester recovered from a slow first quarter to outscore the hosts 28-14 in the second to take a strong 54-42 lead at the break.

Manchester’s lead only grew to 21 points in the third before the 89ers finished strong in the fourth to leave the game all to play for heading to the North-West on Sunday.

With Manchester leading 101-87 after the first leg, Surrey still had belief.

But Manchester were comfortable, keeping the Niners at bay throughout to win 99-92. Patrick Smith Jr. had 20 points and six rebounds to lead the winners in the second leg, adding to his 26 points that he amassed in the opening game on Friday.