ANGELES Universities Selection turned back a Mapua quintet in the final of the inaugural Philippine Collegiate Basketball Cup, 49-43, at the Marrickville Police-Citizens Youth Club, Marrickville, on Sunday, June 8, 2014.
By RAY POLICARPIO
Fathers played with sons, sons played with fathers, brothers played with brothers for the colourful bonding tournament.
Although teams from La Salle, and the University of the Philippines had dropped out of the Cup shortly before it kicked off, what had been perceived as a C-grade competition developed into games that proved a class above as the teams played their hearts out for alma mater.
First up were the Ateneo Sea Eagles and the Mapua Cardinals.
The runners, the loose balls, the banging of bodies, the missed shots, the stumbles, the laughter and camaraderie exuded during the game was immeasurable as every player enjoyed the game as much as the spectators.
Cardinals Allan Malig (8 points), Gilbert Perez (8 points), Remz Remorozo (7 points, Bernard Bautista (3 points) and ex-Red Robin David Parsons (3 points) were all running on leaded fuel as they kept abreast of the Ateneo lead.
The Sea Eagles’ Jo Prochina (12 points), Henry Nayle (12 points), Roger Mantua (7 points), and Ryan Caparas (4 points) matched every basket the Cardinals made.
In the end, Cardinal Gilbert Perez gave his all to salvage a 37-all draw with the Sea Eagles.
The second game also produced an exciting game with the Sea Eagles getting the jump on the Angeles Flying Squadron as Jo Prochina (12 points), Henry Nayle (10 points), Ryan Caparas (9 points), Roger Mantua (5 points), Novarik Esmores (4 points) produced enough baskets to take a 28-21 first-half lead.
The Angeles’ unit had to muster enough energy in the second half to fuel their running game with Byron Murphy (10 points), Olet Pineda (12 points), Marlon Mañas (9 points) Joet Paule (6 points) and Reggie Peña (5 points) leading the way for a comeback 50-46 victory.
Garnering the momentum from their previous game, the Angeles Universities Flying Squadron poured enough energy to whip the Mapua Cardinals in the third game, 43-36, with Murphy and Mañas combining for 22 points, Peña with 6 points, Eric Balagtas with 4 points and Joet Paule with 5 points. Remorozo 10 points, Gilbert Perez 8 points Allan Malig 6 points and Parsons 4 points led the losing Mapua cause.
Based on their eliminations record, Angeles Universities took the first grand final slot with a 2 wins 0 loss slate and a quotient of +11.
Ateneo took the 2nd spot with a 1 draw and 1 loss slate on a -4 quotient while the Cardinals ended up third with a 1 draw and a 1 loss record on a -7 quotient.
The Cardinals and the Sea Eagles figured in a knockout contest and both sides played as if there was no tomorrow.
Bumps, spills, fast breaks, short jumpers, running screens were the norm of the game.
The veterans took over but it was the Cardinals playing on emotion and heart pulling away to score a 49-45 victory led by the scoring of bull-strong Perez (16 points), followed by David ‘Skywalker’ Parsons (10 points), Jamie Uy (8 points), Man-mountain Bautista (6 points) and speedster Remz Remorozo (5 points).
Spearheading the Sea Eagles’ losing effort was Roger Mantua (13 points), Prochina (10 points), Nayle (9 points), Ryan Caparas (7 points), and Gerry Mantua (3 points).
Pride was at stake in the championship game with the Mapua and Angeles squads showcasing the talent of their veterans.
Leading with only a 21-20 first half margin, the Angeles cagers had to shift their tempo into high gear to counter the threat from Cardinals Perez (20 points), Bautista (11 points), Parsons (7 points) and Remorozo (4 points).
It took the generalship of finals MVP Otaner Francisco (10 points), elite veteran Murphy (13 points), Peña (9 points), Mañas (6 points) and Sherwin Mendoza (4 points) to put a stop to Mapua Cardinals’ aspirations and carve out a 49-43 victory for the championship.
Byron Murphy was named overall Most Valuable Player of the collegiate Cup.
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PICTURES
Top: Angeles guard prepares for attack against Mapua defenders.
Lower: Sea Eagles’ point guard Gerry Mantua attempts three-pointer.
