CEBU, Philippines - The Sky Blue-MS Motosuit of team owner Lou Ornopia defeated the Green-Ronel Trucking, 87-77, to retain its title in the Los Amigos Basketball Association (LABA) 2nd Conference Christmas Basketball Tournament at the Banilad Sports Center along AS Fortuna Street, Mandaue City.
Sky Blue led all the way but had to sustain its momentum in the closing minutes of the contest to parry a late rally by Green.
Donald Diaz topscored for Sky Blue with 20 points, but it was Doming Recto who claimed the MVP honors. Recto chipped in 18 markers followed by Merot Ygoña with 14 points.
Top center Dodoy Rizane led Green with 29 points while Lindsay Bontilao added 15 markers.
Mandaue City Vice Mayor Glen O. Bercede, who is among the founders of LABA, was on hand to award the championship trophy to Sky Blue.
The scores
Sky Blue-Motosuit (87) - Diaz 20, Recto 18, Ygoña 14, Unabia 8, Monterroyo 7, Ornopia 6, Jacalan 3, Russell 3, Ople 1
Green-Ronel Trucking (77) - Rizane 29, Bontilao 15, Orendain 7, Yatan 7, Pañe 6, Opone 5, Abayon 4, Lipon 2, Cabucos 2 (FREEMAN)