Team 2K15 will be back in the APCRAA Basketball Tournament (ABT) Finals after defeating Team Bumblebees, 88-80 on Saturday, September 29 at the Asia Pacific College Gymnasium.
This will be 2K15’s return to the finals after their 2015 2nd Conference championship run. They will face newcomers Team Knights in the finals, who had already advanced in the championship round following a victory over Team OGs last week.
After Team Bumblebees cancelled their twice-to-beat privilege last week, Team 2K15 started Saturday’s game strong with a 14-4 run from tipoff. They closed the 1st period withan eight-point lead, 23-15.
The Bumblebees reorganized and made their own 14-0 run, decreasing the lead by two points by the third period. However, 2K15 doused the Bumblebees’ chances, took control ofthe game, and held on to the lead until the final buzzer.
Newly minted MVP awardee Abe Tanco finished the game strong with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. RJ Villegas contributed 13 points and 4 assists in the 2K15 output. Archie Gratil and Pepe Canseco both had 10 points each.
Brix Estabillo topped Team Bumblebees in the scoring department with 18 points, plus 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Norman Ringor finished with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals. He also became the 5th player in ABT history to score more than 500 points in his career. Mark De Luna had his best game of the season, with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
The best-of-three championship series will start on October 6, 5:00pm at the Asia Pacific College Gymnasium.
THE SCORES: (FIBA LiveStats)
BUMBLEBEES (80): Estabillo 18, Ringor 17, De Luna 15, Macaspac 9, Belardo 8, Altre 5, Villas 3, De Guzman 2, Rubio 0, Prion 0
2K15 (88): Tanco 30, Villegas 13, Canseco 10, Gratil A 10, Gratil E 7, Amparo 6, Dela Cuesta 5, Nartia 4, Monera 2, Jabile 1, Ang 0, Abalon 0, Samonte 0
QUARTERSCORES: 15-23, 39-44, 55-58, 80-88