Subido's exploits give NCR five elementary cage title in Palaro

MANILA, Philippines - Renzo Subido played the fireman’s role for National Capital Region, scoring the team’s last six points, including a driving layup in the last five seconds as the Big City bets came from behind to nip Western Visayas, 62-61, and capture the elementary basketball crown in the Palarong Pambansa in Tacloban, Leyte last weekend.

Down by five, 56-61, in the last 40 seconds, NCR went to Subido, who responded to the challenge by sinking two quick free throws, completing an interception for another twinner then slashing his way through three tall WV defenders in the closing seconds to personally lift the team to victory before a roaring crowd at the Leyte Capitol gym.

It was a sweet revenge for the short but big-hearted NCR squad, which bowed to Western Visayas, 72-79, in their group clash in the elimination round but won the match that mattered most.

Subido, the 13-year-old wonder from Lourdes School of Mandaluyong, made things happen. While his teammates toughened up on defense, he took charge on the other end, finishing with a game-high 21 points and bagging the MVP honors.

He actually scored the team’s last 10 points as NCR fell by as many as nine down the stretch. Ranbill Tongco of Notre Dame of Greater Manila-Caloocan and Daryl Bagsit of Don Bosco-Mandaluyong backed up Subido with 12 and 9 points, respectively. Other members of Team NCR, handled by coach Leo Molina and asst. mentor Henry Subido, were Jeremiah Guillana, also of Lourdes School of Mandaluyong, Carlos Lopena and JR Gumtang of Don Bosco Technical Institute-Makati, Jules Bello, also of Don Bosco-Mandaluyong, Lorenzo Battad, also of Notre Dame of Greater Manila-Caloocan, Aladdin Francisco of Teodora Yangco Elementary School-Pasay, Mark Framil and Joc Sison of La Salle Green Hills and Lance Villanueva of Marist School-Marikina.