BATCH 2018-Xchange Forex and 2005-Insular Square grabbed the first finals seats in their respective divisions after defeating their semifinal opponents last Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in the Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (Shaabaa) Season 28 at the Magis Arena in Mandaue City.
Batch 2018 leaned on the offensive efforts of Errol Pastor, Andrew Vincent Velasco, Benedict Chua, Joshua Vincent and Lyder Kent Carieso to oust back-to-back Division C champion 2013-Nest Workspaces, 101-97, in a thrilling match that featured 11 ties and 11 lead changes.
Pastor led the charge with 19 points and seven rebounds. He was backed by Velasco with 15 points, Chua with 14, Vincent with 13, and Carieso who added 10.
Batch 2013 held a slim 77-74 lead at the end of the third quarter and extended it to 91-87 early in the fourth. Fletcher Galvez paced their offense with 28 points, while Rendel Senining and Arc Araw-araw contributed 23 and 18 points, respectively.
However, in the final four minutes, 2018 found a small opening and used it to turn the game around.
Although 2013 wasn’t outmatched in rebounding, they fell short in fastbreak points (5-17) and bench scoring (28-57), which ultimately cost them the game.
In Division B, 2005-Insular Square also scored a hard-earned 88-79 win against 2010-ZLREJ to reach the finals.
The lead changed hands 16 times and the score was tied 11 times, but 2005’s creative offense and stiffling defense in the closing minutes proved decisive.
Daryle Tan recorded a double-double for 2005 with 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Elddie Cabahug and Antonio Datan fired 22 points apiece. Efren Sanchez added 12 points.
Jasper Diaz (20 pts, 13 rebs) and Gabe Branzuela (19 pts, 11 rebs) led ZLREJ, with Charles Divinagracia chipping in 12 points. / JBM