A Security Guards player for an open teammate against two Recoletos Pilipinas defenders during their RCBL championship match yesterday. (Rabboni Borbon)
THE Security Guards successfully defended its crown after they downed Recoletos Pilipinas, 97-80, in their championship match of the Recoletos de Cebu Basketball League (RCBL) Recoletos Pilipinas at the University of San Jose – Recoletos (USJR) Main Campus, yesterday.
Two-time Finals MVP Mark Jesson Debauyan netted 18 points to lead the Guards, who never trailed in the entire game.
Recoletos Pilipinas, however, made the game close when it threatened at 57-52 in the third quarter.
The Guards ended the third strong behind a 17-5 attack that saw them taking a 74-57 lead, going into the final stanza.
The two teams just exchanged baskets in the fourth as the champions thwarted their opponent’s repeated comeback attempts.
Debauyan praised his team’s solid chemistry that allowed the team to dominate again after winning the league’s inaugural crown.
Debauyan was joined by teammate Julian Godinez, Cleaners’ Junjie Macapagong, Recoletos Pilipinas’ Ranel Embalzado and Fr. Vicente Ramon in the Mythical Five.
Fr. Ramon was named the Best Defensive Player and Best Offensive Rebounder.
Meanwhile, the Campus Planners took home the third place trophy after they nipped the Pacubas Cleaners, 105-101.
The Planners were led by Jason Mendez, who fired 34 markers.