THE University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors staged a fourth quarter surge to down the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Panthers, 76-67, in the championship game of the City of Naga Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament at the Enan Chiong Activity Center last Sunday, March 17.

The Warriors dropped a telling 12-4 run in the middle of the fourth quarter to break away from the Panthers. It was a neck-and-neck affair from the get-go until the first minutes of the fourth quarter.

USC coach Bong Abad said the team’s in-game adjustment on defense spelled the difference for this game.

“I think we got the edge because of our defense. My players also executed our game plans, especially Kurt (Trangia). We stuck to our play and game plan, and had some adjustments on our defense,” Abad told SunStar Superbalita in Cebuano.

Trangia topscored for the Warriors with 20 points, Froilan Mangubat contributed 19 points and Roosevel Jelianggao chipped in 16 points.

“The team was determined and motivated in this tournament,” said Trangia, who was named the Most Valuable Player in the two-week-long tournament joined by Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) teams.

“We did not expect to win the crown. What our purpose was in joining was for the exposure of my players. It was a good experience for them. The team had a good performance,” said Abad.

The Warriors bagged the P100,000 cash purse while the second placers Panthers won P75,000 in the tournament organized by the newly formed City of Naga Basketball League.

Meanwhile, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars beat the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 85-82, to take third place and the P50,000 cash prize. (RSC)