TEAM Samsam Gullas pocketed its second straight championship crown in the Emil’s Cup Basketball Tournament after it squeaked past Abrenica, 117-115, in a thrilling championship game on Thursday night at the Minglanilla Sports Complex.
The two protagonists battled neck-to-neck late in the final canto. However, Team Samsam had the last laugh as athletic forward Ferdinand Lusdoc sealed the win with a crucial free throw.
Lusdoc finished with 30 points, while ex-PBA player Eliud Poligrates tallied 28. The two were eventually named co-MVPs of the tournament.
Jessie Collado chipped in 22. The trio comprised the Mythical Five along with Abrenica’s Nat Cruz and Eman Calo.
Team Samsam, coached by Van Halen Parmis, looked headed to an easy win after leading by 20 points at the halfway point of the second half.
However, Abrenica caught fire from the three-point arc and hit four in a row to narrow the gap, 106-112.
Later, Cruz calmly sank three free throws and Rhaffy Octobre drained another triple to close the gap, 115-116, 5.8 ticks to go.
But as play resumed, Lusdoc got fouled and nailed a free throw to give them a 117-115 lead. Abrenica still had a shot but with Calo being double-teamed, was forced into a halfcourt heave from Wowie Escosio that went nowhere as time expired.