Lhuillier wraps up SEABA cage title

CEBU CITY — Guardo Lhuillier relied on the Aldrin Ocanada’s big baskets in overtime as it stunned RP Spring Cooking Oil, 117-114, last Friday to rule the fifth Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Champion’s Cup at the Cebu Coliseum.

Ocanada scored five of his 24 points in the extra period to help Guardo Lhuillier complete a come-from-behind victory in the championship match witnessed by a big crowd that included Cebu Basketball League president Jonathan Guardo.

Guardo Lhuillier engaged Spring Cooking Oil in a tight battle during the first three quarters and wavered a bit in the fourth before forging a 102-102 deadlock courtesy of Junel Maglasang with only 41 seconds left in regulation.

The Cooking Oil Experts then made it, 104-102, behind Maui Huelar’s charities. But Maglasang, who finished with 14 points, countered with his own pair of gift shots to pave the way for the overtime where Ocanada simply took over.

Despite the loss, however, Spring Cooking Oil will still represent the country in the ABC Champion’s Cup scheduled in Malaysia next month, earning the right when it topped the recent National Basketball League Inter-Club.

Clinching third place was Petronas Malaysia following a 76-61 victory over Indonesia.