White dribblers bag Dacudao title

THE White team seized the Davao Dacudao Basketball 2012 First Conference title by cruising past the Dark Blue Team, 106-90, in the finals at the Montana Fitness and Recreation Center Thursday evening.

White took the early lead, 27-17, behind Nestor Dicidican who came out hot in the first quarter with 11 points.

Dark Blue rallied in the second period as Botoy Torregosa fired eight points including two from the rainbow arc to cut the deficit, 42-47, going into halftime.

White, however, stretched the lead at the end of the third, 79-63, as Dark Blue's another rally attempt lost steam.

Dicdican stepped-up to score the game-high 24 points while Raymund Ellorango chipped in 15 for White. The latter was named to the elite Mythical Five along with teammates Oca Gonzaga and Jay Bitacura and Dark Blue's Torregosa and Cesar Liston.

Bitacura was hailed most valuable player for his sterling performance.
The Eddie Sandoval-managed White was also composed of Jing Magno, Ryan Hidalgo, Edward Medina, Nelson Bebiera, Jon Develos, Ederson Sandoval, Cesar Julia and Boying Chavez.

Green team, for its part, salvaged the third spot by defeating the Gold team, 80-70.

Cash prizes and trophies were given away to the winners while individual awardees also went home with trophies.

Tournament commissioner lawyer Jun Sarona, in an interview, said the second conference is slated in August in time for the Kadayan Festival.

The cagefest was sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) under Mindanao Region B director Regino "Boy" Cua.