MANILA, Philippines - Smart Cagayan de Oro bounced back from an opening day loss to make it all the way to the national finals after beating Happy Fisherman-GenSan, 102-90, recently in the Nokia National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro City.
Most Outstanding Player John Karlo Casino had 17 points while Dennis Jabagat had 14 and mythical team member Jiovani Jalalon 11 as the team annexed the Mindanao crown in this tournament backed by Nokia Philippines and TAO Corporation with recognition by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
The Smart cagers lost to B-MEG Premium Davao (69-66), but claimed the scalp of IMCC Iligan (84-65) and B-MEG Aquaration-Valencia (97-48) to enter the finals against Happy Fisherman-GenSan in the event also backed by Smart Communications, San Miguel Pure Foods Company and Burlington.
Hamsar Macalintal had 12 points while Aaron Zobel and Douglas Rama had 10 apiece for Happy Fisherman, which defeated B-MEG Aquaration-Valencia (85-56), lost to B-MEG Premium Davao (49-68) and bested IMCC Iligan (83-51) to arrange the final against Smart Cagayan de Oro, which joined Smart Laguna, Smart Olongapo and B-MEG Expert Cebu in the provincial national finals set May 28-30.