The M. Lhuillier-backed San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA) and Team Pacman of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao bumped off separate foes to set up a championship showdown in the 1st MP Cup Invitational over the weekend at the USC-Main Gym.
SCBHABA frolicked on Richard Lanutan’s back-to-back turnovers in the final 20 seconds of the contest to pull off a 61-60 squeaker over the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA), while Team Pacman had little trouble in kicking out Samsung-Punta Princesa Sports Association (PPSA), 89-75.
Thus, SCBHABA and Team Pacman arranged a sudden-death duel for the historic first ever crown and the P100,000 grand prize of the league at 5:30 pm on December 8 - the feast of Immaculate Concepcion among the Roman Catholic faithfuls around the globe - still at the USC Gym.
Prior to that, Shell-CECABA of Chester Cokaliong and Samsung-PPSA of Reeve Jumawan will clash for the third place honors. The winner will take home P20,000.
Trailing by just a hairline, 61-60, CECABA had a chance to steal the win as it had the possession with just 20 ticks left before the final buzzer. Lanutan, however, forced himself to drive against two SCBHABA defenders instead of waiting for his teammates. The ball bounced off the rim.
In a smart move, CECABA quickly fouled Edmund Odulio. Fortunately, the Easternians gained another shot at victory when Odulio muffed both his fouls throws with eight seconds to go.
Instead of making up from his blunder, Lanutan made another erratic play. Instead of passing the ball to the wide open Mitchel Diputado, Lanutan opted for a long pass to Edvin Kaw, who failed to catch the ball that sealed CECABA’s doom.
SCBHABA dictated the tempo of the match from the start and took a baker’s dozen lead at halftime, 36-23. CEBABA wrested the driver’s seat, 52-51, on a 3-pointer by Cokaliong, but Velayo scored four straight points to put SCBHABA back in front for good, 55-52.
Bull-strong center/forward Dindo Sausa topped SCBHABA with 13 points followed by Velayo with 10 markers. Diputado paced CECABA with 13 points, while Lanutan and Ricky Yu chipped in 11 and 10, respectively, in a losing cause.