SEA Olympus defends title in A+EBA caging

SEA Olympus won back-to-back Architects+Engineers Basketball Association (A+EBA) Corporate Cup titles after walking away with a close 70-68 victory over Island Paints last Saturday night at the University of San Carlos (USC) Main Gym.

It was Elmer Laguna’s late game heroics that clinched the championship game for SEA Olympus.

After the game was tied 68-68 with a contested layup by Chester Scott Hinagdanan with nine seconds left, Laguna grabbed an offensive rebounds from a missed jumper by Darren Morandante and scored with a put back.

Ralph Catugas heaved a prayer from beyond the half court line but missed it.

SEA Olympus was led by Ariel Armenion with 19 points. He also grabbed seven rebounds, had three steals and a block before fouling out with still more than three minutes in regulation. Bong Gabison was the only other SEA Olympus player in double-digit scoring with 18. He was a rebound shy of a double-double with nine boards, three assists, two steals and a block. Laguna just had eight points but scored the biggest basket of the night.

Catugas scored 21 points, grabbed four boards and had two steals to lead Island Paints, while Dexsel Caadan had a double-double performance with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

On the other hand, Dormakaba outclassed Fenestram, 98-70, for third place honors.

Ed Macasling spearheaded Dormakaba’s charge with an impressive performance of 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block. Five other Dormakaba players were in double figures - Kyle Esbra with 16, Kenneth Cadungog with 14, Neil Benedicto with 12, and Eric Pummer and Alfon Magno with 11 apiece.

Zircon Bulawan put up huge numbers for Fenestram with 19 markers, 12 boards and two steals. Jessie Paradero chipped in 17, while Neil Bacus added 16. /