UP Legends crowned back-to-back champions

CEBU, Philippines — The gritty UP Legends successfully defended their crown with a dramatic 70-67 overtime victory against the tough as nails Tatay Rudy’s in the nerve-wracking final of the UP Alumni Basketball League Season 7 at the UP Gym in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City recently.

The UP Legends saw their seemingly impregnable 22-point lead, 51-29, at the end of the third quarter evaporate as Tatay Rudy’s unleashed a fierce 31-9 counter-attack to forge a 60-all deadlock at the end of the regulation period.

But the UP Legends hung tough in the five-minute extension to escape with a three-point win.

Ricardo de la Rosa paced four UP Legends in double figures with 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists and four steals to romp away with the Finals Most Valuable Player award.

Lyndon Gaspar added 12 points, nine rebounds and one assist, while season MVP Junie Alejandro chipped in 11 points, six rebounds, six assists and one block.

Jan Sahilan also tallied 11 markers with three rebounds, one assist and three steals for the UP Legends, who are now a crown away from a historic three-peat.

Skippered by Boodee Monteño, the other members of the UP Legends back-to-back champions are Chyle Del Rosario,

Jon Carlito Ramos, John Michael Wong, Jodl Job Dabon, Alexis Acedillo, Henry Castro, Axel Torreta, Jason Pangilinan, Macky Saldua, and Randy Donaire.

Xamuel Plaza fired a game-high 25 points with two rebounds and two assists but his efforts went down the drain for Tatay Rudy’s. Gil Cabrera stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists and as many steals in a losing cause.

In the battle for third place, Giovani Taok bagged 13 points with eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks as Team Dosmil trounced the Lethals, 60-46.