THE Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) Blue Knights foiled the Lamb of God Sped Academy (LGSA) Saints' dream for a title through a pulsating 72-61, in the finals of the Escandor Cup 2018 Invitational Basketball Tournament Under 17 Sunday afternoon at the Davao City Recreation Center (formerly Almendras Gym).
The Marione Angeles-less Blue Knights relied on their balance scoring that was paced by Lance Justin Carr and Jantu Rubiato II, who had 20 and 16 points, respectively, to secure the title.
"Challenging masyado kasi wala si Ion (Angeles) so nag step up sila lahat, naging role player sila lahat, para ma-fill yung gap na iniwan ni Ion," ADDU head coach Jess Evangelio, in an interview with SunStar Davao, said.
He said since their team was the heavy-favorite they carried the pressure all throughout the game.
LGSA evidently lost their interest in winning during the final two minutes, as their exhausted key players couldn't even connect from all angles of the court.
ADDU, on the other end, continued on guarding its double-digit lead.
Manuel and Sendiong led the Saints with 27 points combined.
Meanwhile, the Davao Jones Academy Spunky downed the St. Mary's College of Tagum Marian Hawks 93-74, in the battle for third in the event presented by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) under regional director and board of trustee Glenn Escandor through SBP executive program officer Ronel Leuterio.