Convergys wins historic grandslam
The Convergys Converters rode on the
spectacular shot of Admir Batiancila at the final buzzer to finish off the Teleperformance AllStars via a 58-57 cliffhanger in the deciding match of their best-of-three finals series
and seal a historic grandslam in the Elite Classic of the Tanduay
Athletics CSCC ELeagues for Basketball Season 13 over the weekend at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.
The down-the-wire duel will surely go into the record books as the closest championship battle ever in the annals of E-Leagues.
After Rahne Laborte completed a three-point play to put the Teleperformance on top by a hairline, 57-56, with only 3.4 seconds left to play, the Converters wisely called for a timeout to sort things out and diagram their final offensive charge.
In the game's most crucial moment that left the fans of both sides wait for the result with bated breath, Jeyson Goden made an inbound pass to Jaime Pacquiao, who then handed over the leather to Batiancila.
Mindful of the remaining time, Batiancila let loose a running shot with a prayer. The ball kissed the glass before it gently rolled through the rim with no time remaining, thus, lifting Convergys into high heavens while sending the stunned Teleperformance and their small throng of supporters in funeral silence.
Teleperformance, however, filed a protest on the contention that the timer did not immediately start, allowing Convergys to complete the play in more than 3.4 seconds.
Nevertheless Convergys was formally declared as champion, becoming the first team to clinch the Elite Classic title for three consecutive years.
Batiancila finished with 10 points but his shot of a lifetime mattered most for the Converters.
Sherwin Emmanuelle Resilla stole part of the limelight after he unloaded 20 points for Convergys to become the hands-down choice as Finals MVP. Resilla's explosion was very timely as brothers Franz Dionne and Kenneth Dysam was held off to only 13 points combined.
Marcos Jungoy III led the All-Stars with 14 points. Laborte scored 12, while Mon Xavier Dico had 10 markers in a losing effort.—
EBV