AFTER so many seasons of falling short, the Cebu Landmasters finally found themselves at the top of the mountain as they captured the championship in Division A of the PLDT SME Nation-Alfredo Gothong 21st SHAAABAA Cup Basketball Tournament with a resounding 82-66 win over Gaisano Capital in Game 2 of the best-of-three finals on Wednesday night at the Magis Eagles Arena inside the Ateneo de Cebu campus in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.
The Landmasters banked on a sizzling second period surge that saw them taking a 41-28 lead after leading by a mere two points, 19-17, at the end of the first. They were never threatened after that hot stretch. Daryle Tan led the champion team with 21 points while former D-League ace, Moncrief Rogado, chipped in 15.
Wily guard Bradley Bacaltos added 10. One-time Cesafi Rookie of the Year Nino Araw-Araw led Gaisano Capital with 15. In Division B, Dynacast 2001 booted out the top-seeded AutoLAB 1999 with a 59-53 victory in their rubber match. JP Cabrera paced Dynacast with 20 points and got ample support from Erwin Ngo, who submitted 13 markers.
Dynacast will meet Batch 1997 in this Sunday’s finals. In Division C, Batch 2014 snatched the third place trophy after it nipped Prince Warehouse 2006, 61-55.