SHAABAA Season 27: Core Pacific crowned Division A champions

CEBU, Philippines — The Core Pacific Group completed its amazing comeback with a pulsating 51-45 win over the equally tough GMall of Cebu in the deciding match of their best-of-three finals to emerge as Division A champions of the Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) Season 27 last Sunday, August 28, at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles Arena in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

The title glory wasn’t served on a silver platter as Core Pacific had to overhaul a nine-point deficit, 11-20, early in the second canto.

Still down by six at the break, 18-24, Core Pacific staged a daring breakaway to seize an eight-point lead, 36-28, late in the third period.

GMall came threateningly close within three points, 38-41, midway in the final quarter but Core Pacific fought with grace under heavy fire to walk away with a resounding six-point triumph.

Former PBA star Joel Anthony Co paced Core Pacific with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. His consistent performance throughout the race-to-2 series earned him the Finals Most Valuable Player award. 

Sharp as ever, Co also made it to the elite Mythical Five together with his teammates Jeremy Ryan Huang and Dave Lim, season MVP Derick Mangubat of GMall, and Nanding Lim of Yangtze Ice.

Huang and Dave Michael Ting caught part of the spotlight with 11 points each, in the same way with big man Dave Lim who was a towering figure in Core Pacific’s defense with 16 rebounds spicing up his eight points.

“It was a hard fought battle. Both teams deserved to win this championship,” said playing team owner Afshin Ghassemi of the Core Pacific Group. “Among all my four championships, what makes this special is I get to share it with fellow alumni from other batches.”

Under the guidance of coach BJ Murillo, the other members of the Core Pacific champion team are Pierre Mella, Dennis Que, Mikel Sala, Glenn Sevilla, Andrew Po, Michael Jun Lim, Johannes Chua, Glenn Ocampo, and Joseph Lo, who was honored as Defensive Player of the Year.