BACOLOD City – Colegio De Sta. Ana De Victorias ruled the 2nd United Negros Basketball League Aspirants Basketball Cup after a 78-73 beating of the Colegio De San Agustin-Bacolod in the finals at the Willy and Nolita Au Court, Bacolod Tay Tung High School here.
Anacito Docto III was named Finals Most Valuable Player after leading the way for CSAV with 20 points, Edsel Manday added 15 markers, while Rhojun Tenacio and Gabrielle Soberano ended with 13 and 12 markers, respectively.
Facing an undefeated opponent in CSA-B, CSAV started strong in the championship game behind the combined nine points of Manday and John Vincent Canillo for a 20-15 advantage.
CSAV sustained their momentum in the second quarter with Soberano drilling eight points and Docto adding six as they maintained a slim 37-34 lead over CSA-B at the half.
CSA-B started the third quarter strong to take a 38-37 lead and later at 44-40 before CSAV turned things around behind Docto for their largest lead of 64-54 entering the final quarter.
CSA-B, however, managed to keep the match close in the early part of fourth quarter courtesy of baskets from John Steven Sondia and Hans Christian Araneta to cut the deficit to 66-67.
CSAV then kept their opponent at bay as Tenacio buried five straight points to widen the lead to 73-69. CSA-B threatened to within 73-75 but two free throws by Tenacio sealed the win and the championship for CSAV.
Jerry Binguan III top-scored with 22 points, while John Christopher Matavia added 13 markers for CSA-B, which suffered an unfortunate defeat after winning all of their previous matches.
Meanwhile, St. John’s Institute-Bacolod Blue Falcons clinched the bronze medal after a 74-50 beating of Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts. Lorenzo Lacson and Ryton Celis finished with 24 and 23 markers, respectively.
Named as part of Acster Marketing Mythical Five first team were Docto, Binguan, Lacson, Thunderbolts’ Paul Barcelona and Albert Christian Melgar of CSA-B./PN
BOX SCORE:
CSAV 78 – Docto 20, Manday 15, Tenacio 13, Soberano 12, Sonido 8, Sarmiento 5, Canillo 4, Bernales 1.
CSA-B 73 – Binguan 22, Matavia 13, Rojas 6, Cabanag 6, Sondia 6, Parojinog 6, Alcantara 6, Cortejo 5, Melgar 3.
Quarterscores: 20-15, 37-34, 64-54, 78-73.
