HOLY Child College of Davao (HCCD)-bannered RTS and Ford Academy of the Arts (FAA)-powered Kisha K Merenda clinched titles after beating their separate rivals in their respective Future Star League division finals Wednesday afternoon at the RMC Petro Gazz Arena in Davao City.
RTS survived past Vegas, composed of Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC) players, 82-64, in their Rockstar Division championship match behind the heroics of Jose Lumanag who was hailed as season and finals most valuable player (MVP) and mythical five.
Lumanag all poured in his 18 points in the crucial second half that saw RTS tightening its defense against Vegas shooters. Ian Cuajao scored game high 26 points for the champion team coached by Nestor Sorrosa and Roger Rabago.
Sorrosa said, “Giusab namo ang depensa sa third and fourth quarter nag full court defense nami, napressure ilang mga shooters. Naghinay-hinay mi ug bawi tong giusab namo ang depensa nag all the way nami (We executed full court defense in the second half that put much pressure on their shooters. We slowly gained momentum after adjusting our defense then went all the way).”
Kisha, for its part, defeated Good Cargo Solutions of San Juan Elementary School, 48-44, to capture the Elite division crown.
Kennedy Amper, who canned 15 baskets for Kisha, was feted the Elite MVP award of the cagefest organized by Aldin Celi of Basketball Avenue. (MLSA)