It was a though battle offensively and defensively both for NHA and MMDA but the latter prevailed. (CJ TANEDO / Photoville International)
PASIG CITY, Philippines — After falling short of reaching UNTV Cup Season 4 Finals, MMDA Blackwolves ended their season 4 campaign by winning against NHA in a one game battle for 3rd at the jam-packed Ynares Sports Arena.
MMDA defeated NHA, 77-74, in a very exciting and thrilling fight that drove the huge crowd wild; priming them for the much awaited match of the UNTV Cup Season 4 Finals: PNP vs. AFP, which was also on the same day.
UNTV Cup, the public service channel’s basketball competition where cash prizes are donated to charities, is led by multi-awarded broadcaster and Mr. Public Service Daniel Razon.
Jeffrey Sanders, one of the best of Blackwolves all season long, came again to the rescue, scoring 8 of his total 22 points in the final period. He also had 3 out of 4 field goals; 2 out of 2 free throws and 5 boards in the last 10 minutes. Overall, “The Shadow” registered 50 percent from the field; perfect 6 out of 6 from the stripes; 18 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals statline worthy of an MVP award.
Cyril “The Big Step” Santiago contributed 21 markers and 10 boards as MMDA reached the highest place they achieved in 4 seasons.
Another top MVP contender, Antonio Lustestica, led NHA with his 20 points, 4 triples, 7 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals.
Waldemar Tibay recorded 26 markers; 10 out of 17 field goals; 5 out of 10 triples and 4 steals as the Builders improved to a 4th place finish after a winless season last year.
MMDA got the 1st period, 25-22 as they out-rebounded the Builders by 11 boards and Santiago dominating with 7 points.
The Benett Palad-coached squad stormed back in the 2nd period firing 4 triples; ending the half quarter tied with Blackwolves at 36. Tibay and Lustestica both scored 6 points.
MMDA outrebounded again NHA in the 3rd canto as Santiago and Mercado just cancelled out each other in scoring. MMDA got the upperhand at the end of the 3rd, 60-56.
Mercado was fouled out at the 6:42 mark of the 4th period which the Blackwolves took advantage of. Santiago dominated again inside but a Ralph Tibay-triple in the 2:52 mark tied the game at 70.
Sanders converted on a strong drive to put MMDA again on top, 72-70; two minutes and a second remaining.
But a Marvin Ladia steal that led to a Waldemar Tibay basket tied the game again at 73 with 32 ticks left.
Sanders quickly scored a decisive layup. MMDA 74, NHA 72 with only 28.3 seconds on the clock.
The Mandevill Martires-mentored squads just hung on to win the game, 77-74, to the delight of the crowd.
MMDA will win 800,000 pesos; P500,000 of which will be given to their chosen charity, Philippine Cerebral Palsy Inc., while P300,000 goes to the team as incentive.
NHA meanwhile will receive half a million pesos. They are allocating P400,000 to the welfare fund of Provident Fund Association Inc. and P100,000 to the team.
THE CUP SCORES:
MMDA 77 — Sanders 22, Santiago 21, Santos 10, Villanueva 10, Monzon 5, Idria 5, Gragasin 2, Nodado 2
NHA 74 — W.Tibay 26, Lustestica 20, Mercado 12, Ladia 8, R. Tibay 7, Feliciano 1
Quarterscores: 25-22, 36-36, 60-56, 77-74
(MARK SUBA)
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