Duremdes powers Mighty to victory

MANILA, Philippines - Kenneth Duremdes flashed vintage form to help power Mighty Sports to its second straight championship in the MCAA-Danny Espiritu Cup basketball championship at the packed RTU gym in Mandaluyong City recently.

Duremdes, the former PBA MVP, hit clutch jumpers down the stretch while Aries Dimaunahan, also a former pro, canned in two pressure-packed charities in the last six seconds as Mighty Sports outlasted the hard-fighting LNC-Skyforce, 95-92, in their winner-take-all title showdown.

Duremdes led Mighty Sports with 19 points while ex-UP standout Edreck Ferrer added 15 markers against a team also backstopped by several pro players, including Leo Avenido, Mark Macapagal, Allan Salangsang, Ronjay Enrile and Marcy Arellano.

The title conquest was the second for Mighty Sports at the same venue in three months after it ruled the Mandaluyong Cong. Boyet Gonzales Cup.

Former Sta. Lucia and Ginebra star Marlou Aquino and Bernson Franco also shone for the Mike Fermin-mentored Mighty Sports in the event backed by Rep. Boyet Gonzales, RTU president Dr. Jesus Torres, Luego Brokerage, Mighty Sports Association, Gerry’s Grill and Sports29.com.

Dimaunahan wound up with 12 points while the 6-foot-9 Aquino added eight points aside from helping Mighty dominate the boards that negated the 46-point performance of Avenido.