Over time Welcoat secures crown

Welcoat Paints turned back Dazz Dishwashing Liquid, 80-71, in a thrilling Game Three that went to extra period yesterday, scoring a sweep in the PBL best-of-five Challenge Cup Finals before a huge crowd at the Pasig Sports Center.

The victory came as a fitting end to the career in the minor league of Romel Adducul, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player who will be donning the Barangay Ginebra Kings jersey come next month when the PBA All Filipino Conference unfolds.

"Masaya ako dahil sa wakas nakapagpa-champion na rin ako ng team dito sa PBL," said Adducul, who had five titles with San Sebastian in the NCAA and one apiece with the Manila Metrostars and the LBC Batangas Blades in the defunct MBA.

Adducul was Welcoat’s source of strength in the shaded area as he erupted for 21 points including four late in regulation and another four in extra period that sealed the win.

The Grease Busters had every opportunity to spoil an early celebration by the Paint Masters but they just could not convert on their last three possessions when they were up, 61-57, with 1.36 minutes remaining in regulation.

After a pair of slow starts in Games 1 and 2, Welcoat was in control this time, defusing every threat thrown at them by Dazz before uncorking a mighty fourth quarter blast to seize a 57-47 upperhand with less than six minutes left in the contest.

But the Grease Busters refused to give and methodically came back to keep the duel close down the stretch.

The trio of Allan Salangsang, John Ferriols and Cyrus Baguio conspired to turn that deficit to a 61-53 lead as Dazz seized the initiative and momentum in a do-or-die stand at endgame.

But it was to be its last show of force as Adducul took control, scoring four unanswered points in regulation and went on to preserve his exploits with crucial hits in overtime that eventually broke the backs of the Grease Busters.

And then all was in frenzy as the red, white and orange balloons fell from the rafters while the Paint Masters, along with their hordes of fans, were hugging and body-slamming each other in jubilation.

„We lost focus in the fourth quarter,‰ said Welcoat coach Leo Austria. „Fortunately for us we have Romel (Adducul) to carry us through.‰

It was Welcoat‚s fifth title in four years while for Austria, who had two titles while coaching for Shark Energy Drink, it was the first time he scored a sweep against buddy and former mentor Junel Baculi in five championship duels.

„It‚s a nice feeling,‰ said Austria, wet with champagne and water splashed at him by his players after the win. „But you have to give it to (Welcoat) coach Junel and Dazz because they fought really hard. It was hard sweep.‰

Earlier, Blu All Purpose went to its main man Marlon Legaspi to scuttle LBC Batangas, 64-61, and seal third place.