CEBU, Philippines - The spirited hardcourt warriors representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu City Chapter blasted their Davao City counterparts, 81-73, in their knockout final duel to clinch the championship of the 15th IBP National Convention of Lawyers basketball tournament at the Capitol Parish gym along Escario Street, this city.
Man mountain Venju Santiago literally ate up the defense of their rivals, muscling his way to a solid 23-point finish for the IBP-Cebu City hoopsters. Van Ligutan, another hulking figure from the winning side, also made his presence with 15 points spotlighted by a crisp 3-pointer that sealed the deal for the Cebuano hosts.
IBP-Davao was actually in fighting mood early on and raced to a 16-15 lead after the first 10 minutes of play. Cebu City, however, stepped up the offensive plate in the second canto, with Santiago and Resti Arnaiz instigating a searing 14-3 run that suddenly put them ahead by 10, 29-19, with still five minutes to go before halftime.
After the Davaoeños forged a 35-all standoff at the break behind the hot hands of Armand Dioso, Kenneth Kernn Sesante, one of the brightest pointguards during his collegiate days while playing for the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, along with Santiago and Ligutan sparked a daring third-quarter breakaway that gave IBP-Cebu City the needed breather, 56-49, going into the final 10-minute zone.
The visiting Davao squad crawled to within just two points, 61-63, at the final 6:32 mark but Adrian Paguican doused cold water on their sizzling run with a crucial twinner. The Cebuano cagers then deftly protected their marginal lead until the closing seconds of the contest to squeeze out a resounding eight-point victory.
Sesante and the power-playing Richard Bauzon banged in 11 markers apiece in IBP-Cebu City's ascent to crowning glory. Dioso topped the game's scoring chart with 26 points, albeit in a losing effort for Davao.
The rest of Team IBP-Cebu City members are Ian Santos, James Hupp, Wilbert Dumon, Edward Bauzon, Noel Bragat, Giovanni Susco, Ferdie Riveral, Barry Busi, Dwight Remedio, Khan Francis Guieb, and Tads Tumados.— EBV (FREEMAN)