CEBU, Philippines - Freddie Niñel and the Giducos brothers Jephe and George stole the thunder as the Amancia Brokers humbled the vaunted Assessment Division, 89-77, to rule the 35-below division of the 14th District Collector’s Cup basketball tournament last Wednesday at the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Sports Complex in Brgy. Punta Princesa, this city.
In the 35-above category, the Mactan Hotmen of head coach Dacky Ugay lived up to its lofty billing as it captured the crown with an 87-71 rout of the Office of the Commissioner (O-COM).
The Assessment Division was ahead by a matchstick, 71-70, but Niñel scored four straight points to push Amancia Brokers on top by three, 74-71, with four minutes left to play.
Compounding the Assessment’s woes was the erratic performance of ace pointguard Dondon Cadungog and the ankle injury sustained by Beking Rollon, who limped out of the playing court with still five minutes to go.
With Amancia of coach Francis Aliposa of the UV Customs Department ahead by just two points, 74-72, the Assessment Division somehow already conceded defeat by either giving up useless fouls or not coming down for defense.
Niñel, who ignited Amancia’s huge fourth-quarter rally, topscored with 25 points, enough for him to claim the coveted MVP trophy. The Giducos brothers both scored nine points in the crucial rally.
Rollon and Tata Laborte each scored 20 points for the Assessment Division.
Earlier, the Hotmen of team manager Mactan Collector Ernesto Urbano needed only a strong second half assault to outlast the O-COM in a rather physical ballgame repeatedly interrupted by slight misunderstanding of the tournament rules.
Ronnie Ruiz topped with 21 points and ex-CIT Wildkitten Jumie Ararao added 19 markers for Mactan Hotmen.Ronnie Clavano and Pitoy Mata tossed in 15 and 11 points, respectively.
O-COM was led by Wilher Daan with 26 points.
The scores
35-above Final
Mactan (87) - Ruiz 21, Ararao 19, Clavano 16, Mata 11, Matugas 5, Aurita 4, Sillar 3, Lawas 2, Amores 2
O-COM (71) - Daan 26, Davila 16, Duran 10, Herbito 7, Solante 4, De la Peña 4, Basalo 2, Tumakay 1 Halftime: 37-32
35-below Final
Amancia (89) - Niñel 25, Tundag 9, G. Giducos 9, J. Giducos 9, Miscala 9, Aliposa 6, Cordova 5, Manulat 4, Oporto 2, Mercado 2
Assessment (77) - Rollon 20, Laborte 20, D. Enriquez 6, Cadungog 5, Navaja 4, Piañar 3, Enriquez 3, Francia 3, Ocon 3, Arreglo 2, Perez 2 Halftime:47-39 (GGM) (THE FREEMAN)