ACD Warriors dethrones six-time champs

THE Assumption College of Davao (ACD) dethroned six-time champion Holy Child College of Davao Reds, 90-84, in overtime to capture the junior division 1 title of the 9th Gaisano South (GS) Cup basketball tournament held recently at the Gaisano Grand Citimall SkyGym.

ACD coach Ice Gravador said, "We are so blessed and privileged to beat Holy Child, the champion for six consecutive years. I give credit to the boys since they played as a team."

Gravador, guesting in yesterday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at Dexter's Pizza Stadium in Matina, said the victory is sweet because it's their first time to join the junior division 1 having played in division 2 over the past years.

"It was a very tight best-of-three series. We won by two points in the first game and lost on the same note in the second game. The rubber match even ended in overtime. Holy Child players are bigger but the unity of our players was a key factor to winning the championship," Gravador said.

He added that since Holy Child Reds focused on defending ACD's regular season most valuable player Jhayston Oquias, finals MVP Patrick Quidato was able to step up for Gravador's squad.

The team was also composed of Alfred Capeding, John Vincent Cal, Mark Francisco, Jose Miguel Presbitero, Allyn Bulanadi, Michael Gonzaga, Ian dela Cruz, Matthew Bonleon, Kristian Nulla, Miguel Ellorimo and Mark Cabiles with coaching staff Jiger Saniel, Joshua Lamano, Rolly Sancho and Chito Ramos.

HCSD, however, annexed the cadet division title while Ateneo de Davao University romped away with the mini division crown. The other champions were Jose Maria College (college men's division 1) and AMA Computer College (college division 2).

The longest-running youth cagefest was presented by Gaisano Grand Ad and Promo Management and sanctioned by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Mindanao Cluster B director Regino "Boy" Cua. (MLSA)