Ozamiz dethrones Tribu 5

OZAMIZ CITY - The Ozamiz Cotta completed a two-game sweep at home to dethrone defending champion Tribu Sugbu with a spine-chilling 74-73 win in their knockout Game 3 to wrest the Southern Conference title of the 2005 Panasonic-NBC National Championship the other night at the Gov. Angel Medina Memorial gym.

Thus, the Cotta, who exacted vengeance at Tribu Sugbu - their conqueror in last year's South finals - earned the right to face North champs Cavite Insurers in the best-of-three national championship.

Ranged against Tribu Sugbu, Ozamiz did not only exploit its homecourt advantage, it also capitalized on its taller ceiling that made them the odds on favorite in the South.

Mounting a solid defense on the Tribu Sugbu counterparts, Ozamiz coach Albert Calvo pulled an ace from his sleeves pocket in 6-foot-5 Toto Delina, the slam dunk champion in the All-Star game last month.

Delina, who was never a factor in their last two games, did a yeoman's job as he finished with six points, four in the third period and two in the fourth period. Not so much with his production, Delina's contribution was more on defense and helped Ozamiz in controlling the boards.

Delina was supported by two other big men in Christian Nicdao and Philip Butel in employing air-tight defense on Tribu Sugbu's Marvin Mercado, who was a big bust in two straight road games.

The other picture of disappointment as far as the offense is concerned was Boyet Guerrero. The tight defense of Delina, Nicdao and Butel forced Bernie Ursal to take outside shots instead at undergoal in order for the Ozamiz big men to vacate the post area.

Even Tribu Sugbu coach Al Solis admitted he was not expecting it would be Delina who will give them the headache and admired coach Calvo for making a great gamble.

Ursal had so much to prove during the last three games against Ozamiz, showing a big fighting heart to lead Tribu Sugbu with 29 points, although in a losing cause. The offense of Mercado and Guerrero could nowhere be found as they scored only three points each.

The contribution of Chris Ferraren and Rex Mangubat, who scored seven points each, were not enough as Ronaldo Bucao and Doroteo Almacin were not also shooting well.

Ozamiz dominated the entire game allowing Tribu Sugbu to lead only by three points, 42-39 early in the third period. Ozamiz's biggest lead stood at 11 points, 71-60, with still 1:09 left in the ballgame.

Alex Cainglet, who scored 11 points for Tribu Sugbu, hit a buzzer-beating triple to peg the final outcome.

Billy Bansil, who is very effective with his one-handed jump shots, led Ozamiz with 16 points, while Milfred Sampelo chipped in with 14 points and Elbert Alberto 10.