Japan bags APUG cage title

CEBU, Philippines – Japan's Nippon Sports Science Institute (NSSU) mauled Malaysia's Universiti Tecknologi Mara, 69-51, to win the basketball title of the 1st Asian Pacific University Games (APUG) yesterday at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation gym in  Barangay Lahug, this city.

Earlier,the University of Cebu Webmasters settled for the second place after they trounced the USPF Panthers, 74-66.

The Japanese impressed the adoring fans with their basketball savvy. Using good ball movements, quick and accurate passes and excellent three-point sniping,  they handily won over the taller yet slower Malaysian squad.

Taguchi Wataru had 11 points, while Odegiri Tadashi and Kato Kei each nailed nine markers for the visiting Japanese cagers, who were mobbed by USPF students after the match.

The Malaysians, who dropped all four games in the tournament, were led by Mummaad Syahni Now Nokles with 10 points.  Naturalized player Patrick Heinztman chipped in nine.

Japa, which led led all the way from start to finished posted its biggest lead at 22 points, 55-33, late in the third period.

Earlier, promising rookie Gelian Delator and Garciano Puerto, Jr. each charted 16 points for the Webmasters, while Clint Suelto and Filvinson Culango connived for 10 points.

Ayn Obenza, coming off from a mesmerizing 32-point performance the when they shocked the Malaysians, was not a factor as he was held to a measly three-pointer.

It was Brandtford Borces who topscored for the Panthers with 11 points, while Carl Langahin and Lyndon Colina scored 10 apiece.

The four-day tilt formally ended with a solidarity dinner last night at the Capitol Social Hall. (FREEMAN)