IT'S going to be a very merry Christmas for the Journey to Recovery (JTR) squad as they toppled the veteran-laden Fighter 50 Wine, 89-80, to capture the championship in the Mayor Edgar Labella Christmas Inter-Commercial Basketball League at the Cebu City Sports Institute on Sunday evening, December 22.
The victory gave JTR the whopping cash prize of P100,000.
JTR established an eight-point lead at halftime, 44-36, and then, kept on pushing back the comeback attempts of F50 in the second half to emerge victorious in the year-end tournament organized by the Cebu City Sports Commission.
While F50’s big guns failed to go off, JTR’s did as Steve Castro fired in 22 points, three rebounds, three assists and four steals while Makati Stars’ ace Cedric Ablaza put up 19 points, six rebounds and four steals.
Cesafi Mythical Five guard Darrell Shane Menina added 16 points and four assists while San Beda Red Lions forward JB Bahio had a huge double-double of 16 points and 15 rebounds.
Cebuano basketball legend Dondon Hontiveros had 20 points to lead F50 while Marvin Hayes was held down to just 13 markers. Jaybie Mantilla pitched in 10 but NLEX big man JR Quinahan managed just six points.
Meanwhile, The SG ARQ Builders captured third place honors after it destroyed ASPA Frameworks, winning by an incredible 65 points, 145-80.
Eight different players scored in double-figures for the Builders led by Vincent Minguito’s 25 points and 11 rebounds. Jesus Saga had 18, Ferdinand Lusdoc added 17, Allan Sala fired in 16 while Jojo Tangkay came up with 15 markers. (JNP)