KCB upends SLAM to capture Emil's Cup basketball crown

CEBU, Philippines - The Karl Customs Brokerage (KCB) of team owner Nelson Arnoco crushed the SLAM cagers, 79-70, in their rubbermatch to win the title of the Emil’s Cup 2010 basketball tournament at the Jerry Oberes Compound open court in Brgy. Lipata, Minglanilla.

Trailing at halftime, 32-34, the KCB rallied in the third period as coach Norwin Honoridez ordered his boys to use a zone defense that worked wonders for them.

The tandem of Kerr Neil Belocura and Chars Gerzon led KCB’s crippling rally that powered them to a 58-51 lead entering the fourth period, which they never relinquished up to the final horn.

Kingero Exaltacion and James Babiera topped KCB with 14 points each, Gerzon added 12 markers, while Mark Navaja, who copped the MVP award, and Belocura connived for 21 markers.

Marson Tabay paced SLAM also with 14 points, as Paul Avila added 12 points and Jason Deiparine had 10 in a losing effort.

Navaja automatically made it to the Mythical Five alongside Ryan Lopez, Allan Doble, Gerald Joseph Ampoon and Jepoy Fernandez. Dixon Fuentes took home the ‘Sportsmanship Award.’

The top three winners received P5,000, P3,000 and P2,000, respectively.

The tournament was made possible through the efforts of Emil Lee Oberes and Armand Wayne Itac.

The scores

KCB (79) - Exaltacion 14, Baviera 14, Gerzon 12, Navaja 1, Belocura 10, A. Doble 4, Menares 4, Jungoy 2, Remollo 2, Lopez 2, Doble 2, Fuentes 2

SLAM (70) - M. Tabay 14, Avila 12, Deiparine 11, Fernandez 9, Tan 7, Pardillo 7, Cabatas 4, b. Fernandez 2, Reyes 2, Adlawan 2 (GGM) (THE FREEMAN)