ANGELES CITY, Philippines – The visiting Trace-Laguna Stallions used their experience and poise as they upended host Smart-Pampanga Buddies, 100-91, to annex the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Pampanga leg Saturday at the Holy Angel University gym.
Ricky Ricafuente was the biggest headache for the Buddies as the veteran sentinel exploded for 13 points in the fourth, including five of six free throws in the final minute to secure the championship for the Stallions, their first in the conference supported by Smart, Accel, Molten, Calcium-Cee, Gatorade, Air 21 and Burlington and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Ricafuente was named the leg’s Most Valuable Player.
After a 48-48 first half that saw nine deadlocks and 16 lead changes, the Stallions made their move as Ron Capati joined Jan Villaver and Glen Bolocon in building the visitors’ biggest lead, 73-63. The Buddies retaliated with a 10-2 run to reduce the deficit to 73-75 entering the fourth period.