Uptown Jaycees/RC Goldline wins Exec Cup crown

CEBU, Philippines - The Metro Cebu Uptown Jaycees/RC Goldline (MCUJ) outlasted Cokaliong Shipping Lines (CSL), 85-76, in a battle of nerves and will to take Game 3 and the championship of the Seniors’ Executive Cup 2011.

The Jaycees, whose running game was placed in check by CSL for three quarters, finally found the right breaks and timing when it scored in spurts through transition midway in the final period to put off a fighting CSL side.

CSL had controlled the start of the game, taking a 23-21 lead after one quarter. RC Goldline countered to take the half at 45-41 and the third period at 66-64. Neither side enjoyed more than a four-point lead, with both sides trading baskets and leads until the final period.

MCUJ/RC Goldline went to Leode Garcia and Lito Navarro on a quick 7-3 run to kick off the fourth quarter and take a 73-67 lead. But Joel Chan, who opened the scoring for CSL in the period with a triple, scored another to cut the lead to 73-70.

MCUJ/RC Goldline went up ahead 77-70, but CSL replied to cut the lead to 77-74 with 5:22 remaining. The final blow was another scoring burst of five unanswered points that saw Garcia split his charities and Montoy Singson and Chris Sta. Maria scoring a fastbreak lay-up each to give MCUJ/RC Goldline an 82-74 lead with 3:58 left.

The CSL offense was shut down from then on, limited to only one free throw with 3:01 left which was also countered by a free throw by Garcia with 2:17 left for an 83-75 score. Both sides could no longer score for almost two minutes until Julius Gastador’s split charities with 30 seconds left in the game and Robert Abasolo’s two free throws with 26.7 seconds left for the final score.

It was a balanced attack for MCUJ/RC Goldline which generated offense from 11 out of the 12 players who saw action, including four players in double digits. Navarro led the team with 19 points, while Singson added 15. Garcia scattered 13 while role player and x-factor Sta.Maria had 12. Gastador led CSL anew with 26 points while Open Cabaltera had 14.

MCUJ/RC Goldline went to its running game to win Game 1 of the best-of-three series, 102-93. CSL retaliated with its more deliberate half-court offense and inside game to take Game 2 and tie the series, 87-85. MCUJ/RC Goldline then went to its half-court game and found the perfect timing to use its running game to get the much-needed breathing room to secure the win in Game 3.

The Seniors’ Executive Cup 2011, a tournament for players 35 years old and above, is a revival of the original Executive Cup of 2003-2005 and Pacman Cup of 2007. It’s supported by Cherifer Premium. Carlo Reyes of Cherifer Premium was on hand to present the trophies to the winners.

The scores

MCUJ/RC Goldline (85) – Navarro 19, Singson 15, Garcia 13, Sta. Maria 12, Lim 9, Abasolo 8, Lopez 3, Hernandez 2, Noel 2, Laguna 2. 

Cokaliong Shipping Lines (76) – Gastador 26, Cabaltera 14, Lawas 10, Cokaliong 9, Chan 9, W. Yu 4, R. Yu 3

Quarterscores: 21-23, 45-41, 66-64, 85-76. – THE FREEMAN