THE Spartans bagged the Monday Squad Basketball-Cebu (MSBC) Friendship Cup title after a 77-68 upset over previously unbeaten and No. 1 seed Hard Court Kings in the finals on Monday, Nov. 12, at the Casals Village Gym in Mabolo.
Former Cebu City Sharks wingman Ian Ortega led the Spartans with 27 points. Former University of San Carlos (USC) guard Jax Bautista added 18, while Kevin Labay threw in 13 points.
Ex-University of the Visayas Green Lancer Randy Delapisa had 25 markers in a losing effort by the Hard Court Kings. JL Manila chipped in 13.
Ortega, also a former USC Warrior, was named the tournament’s MVP.
The Spartans finished the elimination round as the third seed and beat higher-seed MSBC Warriors, 53-46, to earn a ticket to the finals.
The Hard Court Kings, however, had an unblemished 5-0 record going in the semifinal round. The Hard Court Kings outclassed Orange Riders, 78-61, to advance to the championships. (EKA)