STI West Negros University (WNU) repeated over Bacolod Tay Tung High School (BTTHS) in this year's finals, 104-90, and successfully defended their Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural and Educational Association (Nopsscea) secondary boys' basketball title.
John Paul Malayas sizzled with 10 points, including three treys to spearhead the Mustangs, 27-21 run in the opening quarter.
Austine Laureño and Philip John Majometaño had five points each with a triple apiece while Fritz Tagamolila hit six points in that stretch.
The Dennis Tumayan chargers continued their dominance in the second canto as Aldave Dale Canoy powered his way in the shaded area with 10 points while Dave Agbas and Majometaño added three points apiece.
Andy John Villamer kept the Thunderbolts in the game with eight points as Christian Gamao added six markers. The Junior Mustangs led at half, 50-41.
Mustangs' defense hurt Dexter Dy’s wards in the third quarter as the Thunderbolts were limited to 13 points while the former hit 25 markers behind Canoy’s seven points, with Bon Brix Balontong, Laureño and Majometaño.
STI WNU were comfortable at 75-54 going into the payoff period and the Thunderbolts surge of 36-29 run in the final period went for naught.
Canoy anchored the Junior Mustangs balanced scoring with 28 points as Laureño and Majometaño added 14 points apiece, Agbas hit 13 points, Malayas contributed 12 points, and Balongtong had nine points.
Villamer led the Thunderbolts with 21 points while Alarcon shot 16 points. Cagalawan had 12 points as Gamao and Tagamolila chipped in eight points each.
The win earned STI WNU the opportunity to represent Nopsscea in next month’s Palarong Panlalawigan.