RTU Thunder roar in KL cage tourney

KUALA Lumpur, Malaysia – Rizal Technological University made the country proud by winning the second Sukan Wilayah Persekutuan basketball championship at the MABA Stadium last June 12-14.

Handled by coach Beaujing Acot and managed by RTU president Jose Macaballug and sports director Greg Coronel, the Mandaluyong-based Blue Thunders swept the short, four-nation tournament organized by the Malaysian Basketball Association (MABA) and sanctioned by the FIBA (International Basketball Federation).

“We’re very happy to win this tournament. It’s really a big honor for the country,” said Macaballug, who has personally appointed Acot to handle the college and high school basketball program of RTU starting this year.

Julian Bagares and Tristan Pagente and high school standout Eduardo Daquioag provided the firepower for the Blue Thunders

Although composed of college and high school players, RTU opened its campaign with a 101-95 win over the Kuala Lumpur Youth with Cagayan de Oro find Bagares scoring 25 points and Iligan bet Pagente adding 24 points.

RTU made it two in a row with a hard-earned 81-76 triumph over national team-reinforced Malacca behind the hot hands of Daquioag.

The hard-working forward from Laoag delivered the clutch baskets for RTU, which outscored Malacca, 20-14, in the payoff period.

With the score tied at 72-all with only 56 seconds left, Daquioag nailed a three-pointer and Robbie Celis came up with a defensive gem to frustrate Malacca. A basket by Dennis Villamor from a perfect outlet pass by Celis finalized the score.

The third and final game was a walk in the park as RTU whipped host Wilayah Persekutuan, 100-81, to complete a three-game romp. Pagente led all scorers with 20 points, followed by Dauioag with 17 and Raymark Cabrera with 15.

Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Victoriano Lecaros lauded RTU’s triumph and even invited the team members to grace the opening of a sports competition for Filipinos now living in KL.