Hard Court Kings reclaim throne in MSBC caging

CEBU, Philippines — The Hard Court Kings needed extra five minutes before fending off the equally-tough ASPA side, 100-91, in their nerve-wracing final match to clinch the championship of the Monday Squad Basketball Cebu (MSBC) Friendship Cup Season 5 recently at the Casals Village gym in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

Leading by three points in the dying seconds of the regulation period, Team ASPA actually headed to victory but HCK's Lyle Sumayang banked a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to forge an 85-all standoff, hence, the overtime.

While ASPA seemed to have run out of steam, the Hard Court Kings of team owner Mark Anthony Ynoc poured out all their energy left to outgun their rivals in the extension, 15-6, and in the process reclaim the throne they last won during Season 3 last year.

Janjan Auditor, a former collegiate standout from the University of Cebu Webmasters and Southwestern University-Phinma Cobras, exploded for 30 points for the Hard Court Kings to become the hands down choice as Finals MVP.

John Abad, a champion cager from the University of the Visayas Green Lancers who had a brief stint with the Cebu City Sharks in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), chipped in 24 markers while Sumayang finished with 15 points for the Hard Court Kings.

Rumar Ponce paced ASPA with 25 points while Jie Dablo, Filvenson Culango and Warren Pulgo Canete all scored 16 points in a losing effort.

Under the supervision of league commissioner James Cabilino, the MSBC tournament was made possible through the support San Remigio Beach Club, VDrink Malunggay Juice, F45 Training-Cebu Business Park, and Silogan ni Gian. — EBV