ASPAC claims Men’s Division crown

Team ASPAC won their first APCRAA Basketball Tournament (ABT) Men’s Division championship after defeating Team OGs in a classic championship game, 88-83, on Saturday, September 2 at the APC Gymnasium.

ASPAC’s Kevin Vasquez became the X factor, scoring a career-high 26 points with 7 boards. Mark Pagaduan scored 19 points, making 9 out of 10 attempts in the field, with 14 rebounds and 2 assists.

For the OGs, perennial scorer JP Redelick finished with 37 points, tying the all-time scoring record in ABT history made by teammate Jon Batuhan on August 5, 2017 against Alpha. Batuhan had 20 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals in the championship game.

Despite having only eight players available for Team ASPAC and missing the services of Carlo Aboboto and Lavesh Chadnani, they came out strong in the opening minutes of the game, establishing a 14-point lead in the first quarter. Team OGs was able to decrease the lead by the third quarter.

With the game tied at 52-all, OGs’ Mhar Paraiso got his fifth and final foul after committing three consecutive ones. Nevertheless, Team OGs was able to build a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter. Both teams were exchanging leads up to the four-minute mark of the final quarter when Pagaduan got the early exit as he committed his fifth foul.

The game became tied for the 7th time in the last 1 minute and 20 seconds of the fourth quarter. OGs tried to get a comfortable cushion when Batuhan tried a 3 point shot. After it missed, Vasquez made a fastbreak layup, giving ASPAC a 2 point lead with 53 seconds remaining.

In the insuing play, Redelick tried another attempt from the rainbow country but also missed. Another ASPAC fastbreak happened, this time with Paul Gonzales getting a layup to increase ASPAC’s lead to 4 with 29 seconds left.

After Batuhan tried and missed another three-point shot, Team OGs went to foul James Magbitang to get back the possession with 26 seconds remaining. Magbitang split his charities and OGs called for a timeout to advance the ball to center court. Redelick tried another three-point shot, he missed but this time, he was fouled by Magbitang.

Redelick made two out of his three free throws, with ASPAC leading with 3 points, 86-83, with only 18 seconds left. In the next possession, Team OGs fouled Joseph Gamboa, who made his two free throws, ensuring the win and the championship for Team ASPAC.

How they scored: (FIBA LiveStats)

ASPAC (88): Vasquez 26, Pagaduan 19, Gamboa 18, Magbitang 8, Agdamag 7, Gonzales 5, Ilustre 3, Plan 2

OGs (83): Redelick 37, Batuhan 20, Nones 8, Paraiso 7, Go 7, Rivera 4, Pitallar 0, Agito 0, Felix 0, Ortiz 0, Aotay 0

QUARTERS: 26-14, 42-42, 59-65, 88-83