DEFENDING champion Davao Jones Academy (DJA) Spunky was stripped off its crown after bowing to Butuan City team, 84-90, in the recent championship match of the United Basketball League (UBL) Mindanao Finals held at the President Manuel Roxas of Zamboanga del Norte municipal gym.

DJA coach Rael Diaz told SunStar Davao in a Facebook interview that they were caught off guard by Butuan's rally in the final quarter.

"Expect ato lang makaya pero kuyaw man diay kaayo pag-abot og last minute, murag mga kabaw manula. Loose defense jud (We really expected Butuan to be a pushover but in the final minute they really surprised us with their plays)," Diaz, who also coached the 2017 champion team, said.

He also said that when DJA shifted to man to man defense, Butuan players were unusually fast so the Dabawenyos could not keep up with them.

Diaz added, "Kulang lang ko ug point guard kay gitao na nila ang point guard.

Naligas mi sa last quarter. Nigana ang Butuan (We lacked pointguards. We really lost the last quarter with Butuan's rally)."

DJA crushed the host team, 69-58, in the semifinals to set up a finals encounter with Butuan, an 80-73 winner over Cagayan de Oro City in the other semifinals clash.

DJA was bannered by Angelo Paul Escolana, John Lloyd Kinatagcan, Arrel John Audencia, Mark Bacalso, Nico Cabalhin, Ken Jigger Ceño, Steve Lee Bryle Cordova, Ivan Jhon Cuyos, Julius Cesar Olivar, John Dave Palero, Philip Saladio, Jr., John Andrey Sanchez, Teofhil Carl Tabo and Rob Cedric Templanza.