Taguig-Stalwarts rule PBA summer league

MANILA, Philippines - Taguig-PBA Stalwarts completed a sweep of the 2014 Gatorade Batang PBA Summer League yesterday, beating Antipolo-San Mig Super Coffee, 40-36, in the finals at the JCSGO gym in Cubao, Quezon City.

Unbeaten throughout the tournament, Taguig leaned on Eidan Gammad and Nathan Guevarra then went to Manuel Robles, who came through with two crucial late-game defensive gems to seal the victory.

Antipolo set the pace through most of the first half and engaged Taguig in several scoring exchanges in the fourth before falling apart in the closing seconds.

Caloocan PBA Greats, meantime, salvaged third place following a 45-44 squeaker over KABAKA/Manila San Miguel Beer earlier.

Caster Troy San Diego led Caloocan with 12 points while Clarence Guevarra delivered his team’s last three points, including the go-ahead basket after stealing KABAKA/Manila’s inbound pass with 30 seconds remaining.

Guevarra was then fouled after Caloocan regained possession following a KABAKA/Manila miss and made it a three-point cushion.

Joshua Tolentino buried a long jumper in the closing seconds for Manila, but he had his foot on the 3-point line and the shot was ruled a two-pointer.

Meanwhile, the Coca-Cola PBA Youngstars tournament kicks off its 2014 edition today, according to tournament director Ramil Cruz, with simultaneous nationwide opening ceremonies set.

The Mindanao phase will be in Zamboanga, Cagayan and Davao. The Visayas leg will be represented by Cebu, Iloilo and Cagayan. Northern Luzon will be in Baguio, Pangasinan and Pampanga, while Southern Luzon will be n Batangas, Laguna and Cavite.

The Metro Manila inaugural is set at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at 9 a.m., with 12 squads representing National Capital Region. Each province will have 10 teams.