UNO-R Davies bag TKP crown

University of Negros Occidental Team A Davies Philippines is the 13th Tan Kek Pin Memorial Cup Class A champs after defeating the Colegio De San Agustin Choi Sportswear 82-73 last Sunday at the West Negros University Gymnasium.

Unbeaten in 9 games, UNO-R was led by the outside sniping of Joemel Paderog with a gamehigh 21 points and eventual Most Valuable player Rodel Canino scoring 14 points.

Davies was holding enjoying an 18-point cushion in the 3rd quarter when Choi made its move behind a balanced offensive led by Richard Verayo and Ruel Balgos who scored 5 points each to cut the lead to 59-49 going to the 4th quarter.

Choi continued to ride its momentum, as it launched an 8-1 opening 3 minute run courtesy of Alfred Valle, Balgos and Peewee Demonteverde to draw closer at 60-57.

But Paderong doused the rally with a jumper while Francis Parreño and Jade Paul Calma pounced on back-to-back turnovers by CSA-B for easy baskets to restore the lead back to 9 points for UNO-R.

Balgos and Verayo responded to cut the lead anew at 66-61 with 4:35 left.

Turnovers continue to hound CSA-B, as Paderog and Canino were impeccable from the free throw line for a 72-62 advantage.

Valle scored on a 3-point play to cut the deficit to 67-72, but Canino and Cedric Eslabon combined to extend the lead back to 11 points.

Balgos’ 3-point play and a Tommy Andren triple sandwiched Paderog’s 2 free throws for Choi’s last ditch effort at 80-73 with 29.5 seconds left. Paderog nailed 2 more free throws to seal the championship for Davies.

UNO-R employed an effective full court man-to-man defense to stifle the half court offense of Choi.

Five players scored 4 or more points led by Eslabon and Paderog with 6 points each to take the opening quarter 25-15.

Canino shot 6 points and Paderog added 5 points to extend the lead at the break 46-31.

Davies also got contributions from Calma with 12 points, Eslabon scored 11 points, Parreño shot 9 points, Patong Ramos 8 points and Stefano Ayuco 6 points.

Balgos paced Choi with 14 points, backstopped by Valle with 13 points, Jornel Laborte 12 points, Tommy Andren 10 points, Verayo and Demonteverde with 9 points each.

Joining Canino in the Mythical 5 are Choi’s Demonteverde and Balgos, Joemarie Bayhon from Willtrade Sagay Central and Janus Calma of USLS- President’s Gym. (Stephen Tan-Contributor)