The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Defense did it for University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.
The Altas flaunted their defensive prowess when it mattered most to pull the rug from under host CamSur Express, 77-73, and capture the first-ever Cam Sur Cup invitational basketball championship at the Fuerte Sports Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur.
LA Casinillo, who was named as Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, saved his best for last as he scored a game-high 23 points for the Altas of coach Olsen Racela.
Former FEU standout Patrick Sleat added 15 points, four rebounds and two steals and Mark Gojo Cruz contributed 11 points for the Altas in the winner-take-all title showdown in the tournament organized by Armstrong Philippines in cooperation with the Camarines Sur government, headed by Gov. Luigi Villafuerte.
“We’re very happy to win this tournament here in Camarines Sur. This is a good experience for the layers as we continue our build up for the NCAA Season 101,” said Racela, who was also named as Best Coach of the tournament.
Rufino Sablaon III and Verman Magpantay led the losing effort for the Express with 17 and 14 points, respectively.
Sablaon III went 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Jerome Almario and Lloyd Jefferson Borbe contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Earlier, NAASCU champion St. Clare College of Caloocan outlasted Kuala Lumpur Hornbills of Malaysia, 71-66, in another tight and exciting battle to clinch third place.
Justine Bautista led the balance scoring attack for the Caloocan-based Saints of coach Jino Manansala with 20 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
Joco Bojorcelo added eight points while 6-10 Sudanese recruit Moses Mandiria contributed seven points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
Leenard Desabelle and Lex Gazzingan chipped in six points each.
Azbeel Singh Gill topscored for the Malaysia-based Hornbills with 24 points and five rebounds for coach Adrian Wong.
Tan Jian Wei added 13 points, four rebounds, and two assists while Lee Yong Ding contributed 10 points and three rebounds.
Teoh Yi Kang chipped in with eight points. ROBERT ANDAYA
The scores:
First game
St. Clare (71)—Bautista 20, Bojorcelo 8, Mandiria 7, Desabelle 6, Gazzingan 6, Manzano 5, Lim 5, Ibanez 4, Dela Cruz 3, Escobido 3, Simbulan 2, Salazar 2, Loyola 0, Talavera 0.
KL Hornbills (66)—Singh Gill 24, T. Wei 13, Ding 10, Kang 8, Wai 5, Kian 3, Hong 1, Thung 0.
Quarterscores: 19-18, 40-36, 57-55, 71-66.
Second game
Perpetual Help (77)—Casinillo 23, Sleat 15, Gojo Cruz 11, Maglupay 7, Manuel 6, Boral 6, Alcantara 3, Tulabut 2, Nunez 2, Gelsano 2, Abis 0, Duremdes 0.
CamSur (73)—Sablaon III 17, Magpantay 14, Almario 11, Borbe 10, Masinas 6, E. Mallapre 6, Redondo 4, Acabado 3, Rito 2, Dela Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 25-22, 39-37, 63-60, 77-73