Players from the Bulldogs celebrate after winning the crown in the Metro Cebu Basketball League against the Bears at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex. CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON
THE BULLDOGS nabbed their third straight title in the Metro Cebu Basketball League-Cebu Weekend Basketball Club with a 74-67 win over the Bears in the finals last Sunday night at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.
The Bulldogs took over in the third canto, where they outgunned the Bears, 23-7, to turn a 34-35 deficit into a huge 57-42 lead heading to the last period.
The Bears did not lay down and trimmed the deficit to just five, 54-59, but crafty guard Ed Macasling drained a three from straight away to raise their lead back to eight and the Bulldogs did not look back afterwards.
Justin Huang led the Bulldogs with 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and a blocked shot and was named as the MVP. Macasling added 13, Ralph Belarmino scored 12 while Raymond Jimenez chipped in 11 for the Bulldogs.
Karl Valencia led the Bears with 19 points. However, they only got 16 from ace wingman Mark Panerio, who was fairly covered all game long by the Bulldogs cadre of long-limbed defenders.
Meanwhile, the Sherilin Phoenix won third place honors as they blew away the Pandas, 107-96. Mike Cantonao and Jason Chan provided the firepower for the Phoenix as they scored 26 points and combined for 15 rebounds and six steals. Jabby Bautista added 18, all from beyond the arc while Joshua Balankig collected 17 points.