The Panthers with Elite Basketball Club Commissioner Bertoni Salazar (in black).
CONTRIBUTED
The Panthers put up a huge fourth quarter run to beat the Wolves, 100-94, and win the championship title of the Elite Basketball Club – Talisay Season 3 last Sunday at the Vista Grande Gym in Bulacao, Talisay City.
Mark Panerio scored 42 points and was key down the stretch as the Panthers bagged their second Elite Talisay title in three seasons.
Despite losing main rim defenders Jundy Dimitiman and Kyle Co to foul trouble, the high-scoring Panerio and big man Prince Malana sparked the Panthers’ rally when they were down by 10 points in the last two minutes of the game.
The Wolves started aggressively at the top of the fourth period led by MVP Mike Cueva and veteran guard Celso Colegado, who punished the two Panthers big men with their vicious attacks to the lane.
Michael Cinco sank two three-pointers to slice the Wolves’ lead to 10 before the former Southwestern University skipper Panerio and Malana caught fire for the Panthers.
Malana finished with 15 points in the game while Steven Sanchez added nine, including a dagger trey in the final seconds to hammer the final nail in the coffin that completed the amazing fightback.
Colegado spearheaded the Wolves with 24 points while Cinco chipped in 19. Cueva tallied 14 while Norwen Baclay and Duane Anino added 12 markers apiece.
Panerio also took home the Finals MVP honors in the tournament powered by Tough Gear Sportswear in partnership with VDrink Malunggay Juice, Print Ideas, Cobra Energy Drink, and U Shape Up Gym and Spa.