CEBU, Philippines - Franklin Nailon converted a crucial play at the post with less than a minute remaining in the contest to power the CIW Forwarders to a hard-earned 82-79 victory over the gritty Ave Maria Sanctuary Park and clinch the open division championship of the 1st Mayor Teresa "Nene" P. Alegado Cup Fiesta Basketball League recently at the Consolacion Sports Complex.
The two protagonists figured a closely-fought match, with neither team leading by a double-digit.
Ave Maria of coach Edito Salacut was in command in the early goings and took a seven-point advantage at halftime, 52-59, but the CIW Forwarders fired back with savvy in the third canto to wrest the driver's seat, 74-69, going into the payoff period.
Again, an air-tight battle ensued resulting into a 79-all standoff. Moments later, Nailon converted on a short-range jumper and Toong later split his charities to hand the CIW Forwarders of coach Edcel Vallena a 82-79 cushion.
Ave Maria actually had a chance to send the game into overtime, but former pro standout Jerry Jaca bungled his 3-point attempt with 24 ticks left before the final buzzer.
In an effort to buy time, Ave Maria quickly fouled Nailon. The current M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala mainstays muffed his free throws, but that did not matter as time was on their side.
Nailon finished with 16 points and his M. Lhuillier teammate Hafer Mondragon added 14 markers but it was former UV Lancers superstar Jayford Rodriguez who topscored with 26 points for the CIW Forwarders, which pocketed P50,000 for their feat.
Former PBA stalwart Jercules Tangkay topped Ave Maria with 32 points followed by Kurt Amores and Aldrin Ocañada with 17 and 14 markers, respectively. They took home P20,000.
The month-long tilt ended up with great success through the all-out support of the Consolacion municipal council led by Mayor Teresa "Nene" P. Alegado, vice mayor Rey Damole, executive committee chairman Julius Alegado, sports director Enge. Nilo Ferraren, SB members Nicol Villo, Ben Ermac, Analee Gungob, Brando Cuizon, Alin, ABC president Gelio Maquilan, SK Federation chairperson Madel Herrera, league commissioner Paul Alelu Q. Flores and technical chief Aurelio Eslawan.
The scores
CIW Forwarders (82) - Rodriguez 26, Nailon 16, Mondragon 14, Toong 8, Zanoria 6, Paradiang 6, Into 3, Caputolan 3
Ave Maria SP (79) - Tangkay 32, Amores 17, Ocañada 14, Aying 10, Esperat 3, Canoy 2, France 1
Quarterscores:24-28;52-59;74-69;82-79. – THE FREEMAN