Excelroof sweeps past Pharex B, gains crown

MANILA, Philippines - Excelroof showed grit and nerves of steel as it climbed back from the depths of a 10-point deficit in the third quarter to overhaul Pharex B, 97-92, yesterday, capping a miracle season with a sweep of the PBL PG Flex Placenta Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

John Raymundo, Jimbo Aquino and Calvin Abueva, vital cogs in San Sebastian’s NCAA title conquest last year, provided the spark, the energy and composure to will the 25ers to a 2-0 sweep, completing a Cinderella finish in their return to the league after a one-year leave.

Raymundo unloaded a game-high 24 points he spiked with five rebounds, four assists and two steals that made up for seven turnovers.

Aquino, the reigning NCAA Finals MVP, came through with a clutch effort again as he fired nine of his 22 points in the final canto while Abueva rammed in 18 points that went with 12 boards, two steals and a block to help Excelroof wiped out a 10-point deficit twice late in the third period.

“The key is the boys’ heart, they never give up even though we’re trailing, they just showed composure,” said Excelroof coach Ato Agustin.

Agustin, the A-Bomb during his heyday, was in cloud nine again as he completed a cycle from a multi-titled player in the PABL, the precursor of the PBL, and the pros.

“It’s a great feeling winning a title again in the PBL even though I’m not playing anymore,” said Agustin, who won several titles as a player with San Miguel in the PBA and Yco and Swift in the PABL.

Team owner Edwin Chua was as ecstatic.

“I have to give it to the team, they played their best. They deserve to win,” he said.

Earlier, the league paid tribute to Pharex’s Vic Manuel, Excelroof’s Jimbo Aquino and Cobra Energy Drink’s Paul Lee, all vying for the Best Player of the Conference honors.

Manuel, inspired by his winning the MVP plum on his rookie conference, spearheaded a big third quarter attack that saw the Maroons erecting 10-point leads twice, the last at 73-63 late in the third period.

But the 25ers strung together six straight points to go into the final canto with just a six-point deficit, a disadvantage Excelroof slowly trimmed down before making the breakaway.

It was a fitting follow-up to Excelroof’s 97-87 overtime win in Game One Thursday in a game the 25ers also fought off impending defeat.