AS-ES/Cebu Normal University (CNU) displayed tremendous fighting spirit, chalking up two wins against Team Rama – Abellana National School (ANS) yesterday to bag the championship crown of the Cebu Hoops Ladies League (CHLL) at the Cebu City Sports Institute in barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City.
ANS was on the verge of winning the crown when it won Game 1 last Saturday, 87-74.
CNU forged a winner-take-all showdown when it won Game 2, 69-61, in the morning match yesterday.
CNU then completed its miraculous comeback when it pulled off a 102-93 overtime later in the day.
In the do-the-or-die Game 3, CNU surged to an early lead with 22-11 attack before ANS answered with a 15-2 run to take a 26-24 lead.
ANS threatened pull away when it staged a 22-10 rally to go up, 65-52, with one quarter to play.
CNU charged back with a 15-2 run to tie the game at 67-all with 4:55 left.
The crown was within ANS’ reach when it took an 83-77 lead with only 45.6 ticks left.
ANS, however, committed crucial mistakes and CNU’s Kimberly Tabalin, JD Ramas and Sharlyn Claire Maderazo pumped in key baskets that tied the contest at 83-all with 15.1 seconds left.
Nina Cuadero missed a wide-open layup, while Erel Bacurnay missed two crucial free throws off a Cuadero foul, forcing an extra session.
CNU started the overtime with an 8-0 and after ANS moved within 91-90, it staged a game-closing 11-3 tear to ice the win.
Tabalin, who was named Finals Most Valuable Player, led CNU with 18 points.
Daryl Yve Padilla added 13 markers .
Tabalin was joined in the Mythical Five by ANS’ s Darlen Ragasajo and Nina Cuadero, Angela Accos of the Apas Falcons and Danica Cantoy of the Mikel Tigers.