Pola RPG snares second straight TAT leg title

MANILA, Philippines —  Pola Pilipinas RPG played tough to the very end and nipped the Zamboanga Valientes, 83-81, in topping the third leg of The Asian Tournament  at the Pola Gymnasium in Pola, Oriental Mindoro.

Jayvee dela Cruz pumped in 24 points, including four triples, and also came through with six assists and two rebounds for the Pola team which ruled the event via a clean sweep.

Imports Xavier Alexanders and Henry Frank Iloka helped bigtime with their inside presence as the RJ Martinez-owned team scored another leg win after their triumphant run in the previous gig over in Passi.

Alexanders delivered 17 points and 13 boards while Iloka tossed in 12 points and added 11 rebounds.

Last month, Pola, supported by town Mayor Ina Alegre-Cruz and handled by former FEU player JR Cawaling, won the Passi edition via a five-game sweep in a big turnaround from a winless campaign in the opening leg.

“This is unexpected and this made our win very sweet especially it was in front of our kababayans. The team played very hard so we achieved this history-making feat,” said Alegre-Cruz.

TAT executive director Jacque Ruby expressed gratitude to the local government for the success of the tournament, and on how the players and league officials were treated.

Former UAAP MVP Malick Diouf of University of the Philippines paced the Valientes with 24 points.

The fourth leg will be in Henan, China two weeks from now with former NBA star Dwight Howard expected to suit up for the Taiwan Mustangs.