Team Knights have finally reached the promise land.
After two consecutive runners-up finishes, they have won their first APCRAA Basketball Tournament championship, after defeating defending champions, Team Bumblebees, 76-74, in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals series on Saturday, September 24 at the APC Gymnasium.
Carlo Aboboto scored the biggest basket of his career as he made a driving layup, to give the Knights a two point cushion, with only four seconds remaining in the game. The Bumblebees had a chance to send the game to overtime but committed a turnover when Norman Ringor committed a bad pass intended to Lester de Luna.
Aboboto finished with 18 points and 9 rebounds. He also became the 10th member of the 500-points club after scoring his 500th point at the 5:27 mark of the 1st quarter.
Team captain Jhonel de Luna was named the best player of the game with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists.
Game 1’s hero, JC Hermo finished with a near triple double of 13 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. He was also awarded as the Final’s Most Valuable Player.
For Team Bumblebees, Brix Estabillo finished with 28 points and 8 rebounds. He also hit a career milestone after becoming the 1st player in league history to score at least 1000 points. A special citation will be given at their team’s first game next season.
Norman Ringor almost had a double-double game with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Lester de Luna finished with 10 points, 11, rebounds and 3 assists.
THE SCORES:
KNIGHTS (76): De Luna J 22, Aboboto 18, Hermo JC 13, Rivera 12, Juadines 6, Hermo JL 3, Cerrado 2, Tragico 0, Almo 0, Cayaban 0, Dionisio 0, Go 0
BUMBLEBEES (74): Estabillo 28, Ringor 21, De Luna M 10, Altre 7, Galido 6, Salvador 2, De Guzman 0, Belardo 0, Gloria 0, Reyes 0, Grepo 0
QUARTERSCORES: 14-22, 36-37, 55-56, 76-74
REFEREES: A. Buenaventura, R. Francisco, K. Vergara
FIBA LIVESTATS: https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/APC/2116350