JPS Sports captures First Jawo Cup title

JPS Sports downed Red Bull, 68-64, to capture the Fil-Chinese division crown of the first Sen. Robert Jaworski Cup at the Tanduay gym in Quiapo, Manila Monday.

JPS Sports, which led, 42-34, at the turn, rode on the endgame brilliance of Erwin Ong, Armand Pangilinan, Joseph Realista and Steve Ong to thwart repeated rallies by Red Bull.

Erwin Ong led all scorers with 18 points to power JPS, formerly Aquasafe, to its third franchise title.

Realista, who was later voted as the tournament’st Most Valuable Player, and Ong chipped in nine points apiece.

"Experience counts. I have so much respect on my team and I know that they are all capable of handling pressure-laden games such as this one," said Paul Tan, the owner-coach of the team.

Clint Erestain, a shifty point guard from San Beda, led Red Bull with 11 points followed by Carlo Camus with 10 as the junior Thunder, who finished second in the eliminations, almost completed a Cinderella finish.

Commissioner Matt Calizar, chairman Joseph Tan and project director Philip Sio awarded the trophy to the winners in this tournament organized by the Continental Basketball League.

Broline, which finished as the No. 1 team after the eliminations and managed by Louie Ang and Gerald Evangelista, bagged the third place honors.

The event was sponsored by RFM Corporation, Hang Ten, Lush Drinker, Nelson Li, Titan Steel, Pioneer Vinyl, Boysen, Builders Commercial, Harcraft, Overseas Paper, Sheraton, Rubi Stainless and Ong’s Elect.