JOY Jo erupted with 15 points, Lee Sario had 13 and Gypsy May Cañutu made 11 as the Assumption College of Davao (ACD) girls team defended its crown against arch-rival Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) Blue Knights, 47-43, in the championship match of the Faith International Academy (FIA) Girls High School basketball tournament held at the FIA basketball court, Marfori Heights Subdivision in Davao City.
Patricia Villarin chipped in eight baskets for the Daniel Colango-coached eight-peat titlist.
Jeslaine Seo of the Lady Blue Knights scored 10 points including back-to-back three pointers at the stretch that threatened the defending champions.
Ateneans Pearl Ogang and Lourda Soriano each canned nine points.
ACD was up, 44-38, barely one minute left in the game when Seo fired a trey, cutting the former's lead to just three, 44-41. But Jo answered with a jumper to secure a 46-41 lead.
Ogang, however, countered with a basket to for Ateneo to come close, 43-46, only six seconds to go.
Sario, received the ball from the inbound but fouled immediately with 1.3 remaining.
Sario, who received the inbound pass, split her two free throws to lift ACD's four-point triumph.
Colango, in an interview with SunStar Davao, said his players’ vast experience played a big factor to win the championship.
"Alam na din kasi namin mostly ang laro ng mga kalaban, kasi always na naglalaro sa iba't ibang leagues," he added.
The veteran coach also said that his players were trained to play any position.
“Seven lang yung players ko pero di gaano akong nahihirapan kasi alam nila paano gampanan ang ibang positions,” Colango said.
ACD was bannered by Christy Tiu, Carmella Bagaslao and Jazmine Macasa.
Other teams entered in the cagefest were host FIA and Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School.