Ateneo Blue Knights retains region's title

THE Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) Blue Knights, representing the Davao region, brought home the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (Ceap) Mindanao Finals inter-collegiate basketball tournament title after beating Xavier University (XU) of Cagayan de Oro City, 76-72, in the championship game held at the RDR Gym, Davao del Norte Sports and Toursim Complex in Tagum City.

With the reinforcement of selected players from last year's Mindanao finals champion St. John Paul II College of Davao (SPIICD) and the University of Immaculate Conception (UIC), the Blue Knights entered the finals unbeaten after eking out victories over Father Saturnino Urios University of Caraga, Zamboanga and Notre Dame of Jolo College.

In the finals, Blue Knights head coach Pochollo Elegino, said it was indeed a see-saw battle all throughout the game, opting him to ask his boys, "Who wanted the championship more?"

"And they responded with a tremendous 2nd half and showed a lot of poise down the stretch," Elegino recalled as their team defended the title for the region.

Elegino thanked SPJIICD and UIC, saying that they are, "Dako kaayong tabang (a big help)."

"Pasalamat ko sa tanan nag support sa team especially to the parents, admin, my wife and my son for the unending support and also to the coaches sa pagpahuram sa ilang mga players (I thank those who supported the team, especially to the parents, administrators, my wife and my son for their unending support and to the coaches for lending their players)," Elegino said, pertaining to SPJIICD head coach Howard Delgado.

Completing the Davao region roster were Addu's Edz Luman-ag, Ivan San Diego, Edward Brian Misa, Elwin Toraja, Miguel Pacheco, James Doblado, Alexander Lamzon, Dean Axl Garcia and David Angelo Sotto with SJPIIC's John Rashid Hebania, Kim Joseph Mundiz, Paulo Abad and Kenneth Jay Sanchez and UIC's Lloyd Tolentino.