Tiger Cubs rule BBI U-19 cagefest; Lina named Finals MVP

MANILA, Philippines — The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs edged a tough College of San Benildo side, 66-58, to bag the Sulit.ph Breakdown Basketball Invitationals Under-19 championship at a jam-packed Moro Lorenzo Sports Center, Sunday.

Batang Gilas veteran Bismarck Lina carried a UST team that struggled in the face of the withering defense by San Benildo. Lina, who was named to the Mythical Five selection and went home with the Finals Most Valuable Player plum, finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

With the explosive Mark Nonoy held down to a measly three points all game long by San Benildo’s defense, Lina and Johnvic Casingcasing (11 points) carried the cudgels for UST.

Casingcasing gave UST a lead it would not surrender after a triple to make it 7-6 early in the first quarter. They hiked the lead to 14 early as well in the fourth period after a Lina jump shot at the 4:05 mark, 63-47.

However, Nonoy’s misfires and misses from the free throw line by Lina gave CSB a window of opportunity. The Wolves were able to trim the double digit deficit to six, 64-58, after a jumper by Jim Aniceto with 40 seconds to play. CSB was able to stop UST in the next possession but they missed two triple attempts. With 16 seconds left, the Wolves’ Gab Gotera fouled Tiger Cub Jomar Amador who canned both free throws for the match’s final points. 

While CSB dominated the boards, it was Lina’s inside presence that proved massive for UST as the Tiger Cubs scored 42 points in the paint to the 18 of the Rizal-based squad.

Jim Aniceto top scored with 23 points but no one else scored in double figures for CSB whereas UST had Lina and Casingcasing. Nonoy missed nine of 10 shots and all four of his free throws. 

Joining Lina in the Mythical Five are UPIS’ King Vergeire and Ralph Labao, De La Salle Zobel’s Joaquin Damiles, and San Benildo’s Lenard Parial. Nonoy was named the Best Defensive Player while Vergeire was the tournament MVP.

“Nag-pay off yung hard work and sacrifices namin,” said Lina of the championship and the personal awards. “Sobrang blessed kasi bihira lang yung ganitong opportunity.”

The Mythical Selection and the Finals MVP Awards are Lina’s first ever individual awards. He was also a part of the Seaba Gold Medal winners from last year with Batang Gilas and played with the team that competed in the Under-18 championships in Argentina earlier this year. 

UST head coach Bonnie Garcia hopes that their strong BBI campaign will carry over come the UAAP Juniors Tournament that tips off this coming November 11 against defending champion, Ateneo.