Our Lady of Fatima claims diadem in Saturday Club tilt

CEBU, Philippines - The Our Lady of Fatima hoopsters of team owner Yoli Meso prevailed over H&C Sand and Gravel Dealers, 107-101, in the battle of unbeaten teams to clinch the championship of the Saturday Club 2009 First Conference Basketball Tournament at the Quiot Sports Complex. The two protagonists marched into the final round with similar 13-0 records.

H&C actually got off to a sizzling 37-16 start behind the explosive tandem of Jackson Lapeña and Fern Sumargo, but Glen Birao and Michael Arias stole the thunder as Fatima staged a furious rally in the second canto to turn the tables on Sand and Gravel Dealers at halftime, 52-46.

Fatima sustained its momentum with savvy to march into the fourth quarter with a 79-69 advantage, leaving H&C in disarray the rest of the way.

Arias, a former SWU Cobra, paced Our Lady of Fatima with 30 points followed by Birao with 23. Efren Mosqueda, Rey Jumamel and skipper Charlie Reyes banged in 32 points combined.

Lapeña scattered 26 points for H&C, while Sumargo and Randy Ramas each scored 14 in a losing cause.

The scores

Fatima (107) - Arias 30, Birao 23, Mosqueda 12, Jumamel 10, Reyes 10, Canasa 7, Ortiz 6, Meso 4, Nacorda 3, Perez 2

H&C (101) - Lapeña 26, Sumargo 14, Ramas 14, Cabo 11, Nuñez 8, Piezas 7, Satorre 7, V. Cabuneas 6, Zapanta 4, L. Cabuenas 4. – GGM (THE FREEMAN)