MANILA, Philippines - Mighty Sports-Malolos of Mayor Christian Natividad leaned on a solid all-around performance of former PBA Best Import Jammel Cornley and Nino Marquez to beat San Ildefonso, 79-75, and capture the first Agila Cup Open Basketball League title at the Malolos Coliseum in Malolos, Bulacan.
Cornley, who helped Rain or Shine win its first PBA crown in the Governors’ Cup last year, imposed his will in the shaded lane in the early going to power the team to leads of as many as 22 points in the third.
Marque, meanwhile, hit seven triples to finish with game-high 27 points. Cornley added 19 markers.
Former MVP Kenneth Duremdes and Marlou Aquino also made their presence felt in the fourth quarter to help Mighty Sports quash San Ildefonso’s spirited rally.
The title win was the third straight for Mighty Sports, which also topped the Mandaluyong Inter Commercial and 15th Danny Espiritu Cup last year.
Mighty Sports also leaned on Jeff Sanders and Aries Dimaunahan’s tough defense on San Ildefonso’s Kevin Ferrer and Allan Mangahas, who missed their three-point shots at the height of their comeback.