Assumption defeats San Benildo for Seaoil NBTC Division 2 crown

MANILA, Philippines – It’s a Cinderella story after all for the University of Assumption out of San Fernando, Pampanga. The first-time participant in the Seaoil National Basketball Training Center League defeated Colegio De San Benildo of Antipolo, 79-69, to claim the Division Two championship at the Ynares Center in Pasig City on Sunday, March 9.

In a tightly fought battle against the smaller the Blazing Wolves that saw eight lead changes, the UA Pelicans bucked one last 61-55 deficit with six minutes to play to seize the lead for good, 68-67, off a floater by point guard Ezekiel Ocampo with 3:22 left to play. That triggered a fiery 9-0 wind-up to put the game and the championship in the bag for coach Jonel Flores’ charges.

University of Assumption’s 6’2” center Mark Bondoc put on a scintillating show by tallying 20 points, 20 rebounds, four assists four blocks, and one steal against five turnovers. He also played all but two minutes of the match. Teammates Ocampo and shooting guard Allen Guillas added 17 points each.

San Benildo, the Seaoil MMBL Division Two back-to-back champions, were led by point guard Ralph Legaspi’s 23 points and Jayson Cervantes’ 14 markers.

Legapsi singlehandedly held off the Pelicans with 18 points half points on a variety of shots – 3-pointers, floaters and daring drives. Guarded tightly in the second half, it fell upon Cervantes to carry the scoring load.

But University of Assumption asserted their height advantage in the second half behind Bondoc and forward Michael Lopez, who came off the bench to score six points, all off offensive rebounds in the late third and fourth periods. The Pelicans pulled down 44 rebounds to the 36 of the Blazing Wolves.

“We were determined to uphold Kapampangan Pride in this game. This is our first time to play in such an environment and especially in Manila. I am proud of my team because they never stopped fighting,” said a jubilant Flores.