CEBU, Philippines - The Durabend Pipes-sponsored Datu Lapu-Lapu Chapter warded off a courageous endgame fightback by Savers Home Depot to waltz away with a 72-58 victory in the decider of their best-if-three finals series to clinch the championship of the United Architects’ Basketball Club (UABC) Season 4 billed as “Corporate Cup” last Sunday at the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) gym.
It was almost a singular offensive outburst by Elmer Laguna for Durabend as he strafed a game-high 29 points that earned him the coveted Finals MVP award. Hitting 11 field goals and going 7-of-10 from the stripe, the do-it-all forward also hauled down nine rebounds on top of one assist and one block in an admirable show of hardcourt versatility.
The two protagonists actually fought on even terms in the first three quarters resulting into a 41-all deadlock, but Philip Khan “Lik-Lik” Lim charted six straight points in just a one-minute span to push Datu Lapu-Lapu ahead by 12 points.
Savers Home Depot did not give up easily and charged back with savvy to chop the deficit down to a manageable five points.
But that was Savers Home Depot’s last gasp of breath as Datu Lapu-Lapu Chapter team director Alan “Big Al” G. Choachuy surprised everyone with his excellent playmaking skills, dishing out three consecutive pin-point assists to Laguna and Chad Concepcion that helped the Durabend-backed squad restore a dozen-point edge.
A natural center at 6-foot-1, Choachuy was forced to play pointguard for Durabend in the closing minutes of the contest as John Sulay and Jay Ramodez already fouled out. He did not disappoint his teammates by delivering the goods when it mattered most. Overall, Choachuy had four rebounds and four assists.
Savers Home Depot tried to stop the clock but their efforts went in vain as Laguna shot 4-of-5 from the foul line to seal Durabend’s triumph.
Lim finished with 13 points and two rebounds, while Ramodes added 10 points and three rebounds as Datu Lapu-Lapu Chapter savored its first title in four-year history of UABC.
The UABC Season 4 was made possible through the support of Boysen Paints, Savers Home Depot, Geproc Plaster Board and Durabend Pipes.
The scores
Durabend/Datu Lapu-Lapu (72) - Laguna 29, Lim 13, Ramodes 10, Concepcion 8, Sulay 6, Suico 5, Jugalbot 1
Savers Home Depot (58) - Gonesto 19, Rebosura 11, Baladya 9, Tan 6, Cadayona 5, Ong 4, Decatoria 3, Tang 1
Quarterscores:10-13;22-28;41-41;72-58. (FREEMAN NEWS)