RDAK forges rubber in SHAABAA finals

CEBU, Philippines – Jair Igna sparkled with 32 points as the RDAK Stallions lashed back at defending champion Petron Goldberry, 79-72, to forge a rubbermatch in their best-of-three finals series in the 20th Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) Cup last Sunday at the Magis Eagles gym of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

Flacher Galvez nailed 15 markers and Arvid Jasong Ong chipped in 10 points for RDAK, which blew hot and cold before downing Petron Goldberry to live and fight for another day.

After taking an early 17-9 lead, the Stallions toned down offensively, allowing Petron Goldberry to wrest the driver's seat at halftime, 33-32.

The Stallions, however, shot back to life in the third period where they outclassed Petron Goldberry, 31-23, to take a seven-point lead, 63-56, going into the final 10 minutes of the contest.

RDAK then fought stedier down the final stretch to exact vengeance at Petron Golberry, which was led by Ed Macasling with 24 points followed by Justin Huang and Dave Ting with 16 and 12 points, respectively.

Earlier, Daryl Tan erupted with 24 points and Kyle Valmoria added 21 as the Cebu Landmasters battered Bayfront Hotel Cebu, 99-76, to claim the third place honors. — EBV (FREEMAN)