CEBU, Philippines — The Nest Workspaces Batch 2013 outshined the equally tough Xchange Forex Batch 2018, 74-68, in the rubber match of their epic best-of-three finals to successfully defend their throne in Division C of the Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) Season 27 on Sunday, September 1, at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles Arena in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.
Fletcher Galvez and Emman Malazarte delivered stellar performances as Batch 2013 bounced back with aplomb after falling down in the series opener to bask in the glow of back-to-back championships.
Galvez dished out a solid double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds laced with three assists, one steal and a block to become the hands down choice sa Finals MVP. It’s a triple celebratin for Galvez as he was also honored as Defensive Player of the Year.
Malazarte was similarly impressive, firing in 23 points on top of eight boards, two dimes and as many steals.
Season MVP Rendell Senining also made a significant contribution with 12 points and 11 assists, while Arc Araw-araw chipped in with 11 markers, seven rebounds and three assists for Batch 2013.
Senining and Araw-araw made it to the Mythical Five together with Mitch Almodal of Batch 2020, Benedict Andre Chua of Batch 2018, and Josemaria Rafael Navarro of Batch 2014.
In the knockout Game 3, Batch 2013 got off to a fast start, using a 9-0 blitz to take a 20-6 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.
But Batch 2018 launched a spirited comeback, dropping a 13-0 bomb to knot the count at 47-all before eventually seizing the upper hand, 52-49, with just a few seconds gone by in the final period.
Batch 2013, however, sprang back to life and fought with grace under heavy pressure at crunchtime to keep their crown with a thrilling six-point victory.
Under the guidance of coach Paul Joven with shipping magnate and social media personality Chase Cokaliong as team owner/manager, the other members of back-to-back SHAABAA champions Batch 2013 are JJ Ong, Gerard Beniga, Rolan Go Bui, Nikki Pimentel, Al John Lim, Jacob Lee, Alphonsus Doyon, Miguel Competente, Manu Fernando, Kent Megio, and Chino Chua.
Andrew Velasco, meanwhile, topscored for Batch 2018 with 14 points, while Benedict Andre Chua, Eroll Pastor, and Jed Colonia scored 13 points each.
The Xchange Forex-backed squad may be on the losing end but they can still hold their heads up high for putting up a great fight in one of the best finals showdown in SHAABAA history. — (FREEMAN)