Members of the Consolacion Sarok Weavers celebrate their title victory against Mandaue City at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.
christian maningo
Consolacion shocks tournament-favorite Mandaue to win crown
In what could be the most surprising turnaround in the tournament, the Consolacion Sarok Weavers booted out the heavily favored Mandaue City following a thrilling 63–62 win last Wednesday night in their do-or-die Game 3 of the 2017 Cebu Governor’s Cup Inter-Cities/Municipalities
Basketball Tournament North Division Finals at the full-house Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.
Mandaue was one of the pre-tournament favorites and lived up to the lofty billing in the early stages of the competition when it posted lopsided victories, including a pair of 100-point victories.
But what looked like a promising campaign ended in frustration as Consolacion hung tough in the closing seconds to wrap up the series, 2–1, and earn the right to challenge the Minglanilla Archangels for the Governor’s Cup crown.
The Governor’s Cup Finals will start on Sunday at a venue still to be determined. A whopping P500,000 cash prize awaits the champion team.
Mandaue had a golden opportunity to save its season but Aljie Mendez succumbed to tremendous pressure and missed what could have been the game-winning free throws.
With Consolacion ahead, 63–60, Mendez scored while being fouled by Cyril Sabellana with seven seconds left.
Mendez missed the bonus free throw but still managed to grab the offensive rebound and was fouled anew while attempting a shot with four seconds remaining.
Mendez couldn’t make up for his early missed free throw as he bungled the two gift shots. Mandaue even grabbed the offensive rebound but failed to convert as time expired.
It was a great escape for Consolacion, which nearly lost a 42–51 lead early in the payoff period.
Mandaue rallied behind John Benedick Damolo and Froilan Mangubat, who sank two triples each in a searing run that shoved their team to within 57–59.
Patrick Yu’s basket gave the Sarok Weavers a 61–57 lead in the final 1:26, but Mangubat dropped another three pointer to pull Mandaue closer, 60–61.
Patrick Montaño answered with his own crucial shot in the next play to make it, 63–60, and the Sarok Weavers went on to escape when Mendez cracked under pressure at the charity stripe.
Yu paced Consolacion with 16 points, Sabellana added 14, while Emmanuel Villamor chipped in 12.
Mangubat topped Mandaue with 14 markers, while Mendez and Jancork Cabahug donated 13 apiece.