THE defending champion Assumption College of Davao (ACD) Warriors rewrote history after routing Xavier University (XU) of Cagayan de Oro City 109-51, in the finals to keep the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) Mindanao Finals basketball tournament title on Saturday in Tagum City.
It was remembered that the Warriors clobbered the same rival in the finals last year with the score of 70-40.
The feat, however, was made possible by the combined efforts of BJ Sumugat, AJ Royo, Gabriel Lazarraga, AJ Heje and Jam Bandalan.
Sumugat paced the Warriors with 18 points while Royo and Lazarraga added 15 and 13 points, respectively.
Heje and Bandalan, meanwhile, drilled in an identical 10 points for a successful title-retention bid.
Head coach Rolando Sancho, in a Facebook Conversation, said entering in a commercial-level competition like Basketball Avenue Champions League played a huge role in developing the players' maturity.
"During our daily practice, we focused primarily on the defense talaga and we review our plays daily as well," said Sancho.
Despite the convincing win, Sancho shared that they didn't underestimated their rival.
"We respect yung kalaro namin sa CEAP dahil champion din kasi sila sa Region nila kaya we prepared hard talaga para ma-defend namin ang titulo," added Sancho while crediting the players and the coaching staff who worked hand-in-hand to achieve their mission.
Aside from Sancho, Warriors are composed of Sumugat, Royo, Lazarraga, Heje, Bandala, Leonard Salvame, Cris Marvin Vistal, Paul Christian Malano, Austene Carl Talisayan, Aaron Gellard Lapating, Jory Velarde, Reuben Diuyan, Ervil Olubalang and Alejander Positos with assistant coaches Rap Nayve, Tristan Ruzer Balino and Edwin Villarente.
The home-bound Warriors set their sight on reclaiming the National Basketball Training Center Davao Leg title.