SHAABAA Division B champions Dynamic Power, composed of players from Batch 97 and Batch 98, pose with team owner Erwin Ngo of Batch 2001, head coach Pablo Yu and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu president Fr. Manny Uy.
contributed photo
Dynamic Power dethroned the defending champions RDAK Transporters in thrilling fashion as Walter Ong sank two pressure-packed free throws with just seconds remaining that lifted the team to a 57-56 win in the deciding Game 3 of the Division B Finals of the 20th Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) Cup on Sunday at the Magis Eagles Arena in Canduman, Mandaue City.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair all throughout with neither team willing to budge with the title on the line. After trailing 11-12 after the first, Dynamic Power got their fire lit up after seeing one of its key players – Valiant Ngo – get sidelined with an injury.
With renewed vigor, Dynamic Power took an eight-point lead at the halfway point of the second, but the Transporters stood their ground and clawed their way back to tie the game at 32 at the turn.
The two squads battled back and forth but the breaks finally went the way of Dynamic Power when it needed them the most.
Down one with just 10 seconds left, Theogene Lim tried to go for the kill and put up a shot that did not find the mark. But Ong worked tirelessly to grab the offensive board and was fouled with 5.5 ticks left. With the title at stake, Ong showed nerves of steel and calmly made both free throws to put Dynamic Power in front.
They then put the clamps on the Transporters in the game’s final possession to seal the win and grab the title.
Magdaleno Sy led Dynamic Power with 13 points while Ong finished with 11 markers.