Nationals trip Cebu Lhuillier for crown

SAN PABLO City — The Philippine Men’s team survived a last-ditch surge by a Bobby Parks-bannered Cebu Lhuillier to pull off a scrambling 77-74 victory last night and rule the first Bert Lina-Jam Mercado Battle of Champions at the Aquino Stadium here.

Homer Se’s two free throws with 48.3 seconds left gave the Nationals a 77-72 lead and it cushioned the Cebuanos’ rally in this five-day cagefest organized by Laguna sportsman Bert Lina.

Parks, seven-time best import in the PBA, was all business with 25 points, but his efforts still fell short. His lay-up with 12.3 seconds for the final tally was the closest that the National Inter-club champions could get.

RP team head coach Boycie Zamar said the tournament was an eye-opener not only for the coaching staff, but for the players as well.

"We still have a long way to go to realize our full potentials as a team. We still have to know how to use our killer instinct because the tendency has always been to relax when we lead by a huge margin," said Zamar.

In the absence of top player Romel Adducul, San Juan Knights’ Chris Calaguio and Chito Victolero provided the firepower for the nationals with 17 and 13 points, respectively. Adducul suffered an eye injury in a game against the Laguna Lakers on Thursday.

Youth standout Mare Pingris was also out of commission due to a knee injury.

Parks, the PBA’s seven-time best import, who reinforced the Cebuanos in their first three victories, was absent when the nationals won a 94-74 rout against his team at the end of the elimination round Saturday.

Sylvia Lina, representing husband Bert Lina, awarded the trophies to the winners and was assisted by Mercado, Basketball Association of the Philippines president Tiny Literal and National Basketball League Christian Tan.

In the first game, Joonang University of Korea kept its mastery of the Laguna Lakers as it pulled off an 89-78 triumph to bag third place.

National player Kim Joo Sung again led the Korean assault with 18 points, 12 in the first half where the collegiate Asian University champions posted a huge 50-36 advantage.