Wency Sagun scored six points, including four in the final minute that lifted Team Sto. Cristo Tarlac to a 20-18 triumph over Team Sto. Rosario-A of Malolos, last Sunday in the finals of the RC Cola-Liga ng Bayan national tournament at the Market! Market! In Taguig.
The 5’7” Sagun came into the picture after they rallied from four points down, and his efforts earned him the MVP honors when it was over.
“Talagang gagawin po namin ang best namin para manalo,” said the 14-year-old Sagun, the son of a referee, after Team Tarlac took a home the top purse of P50,000.
Sagun’s jumper and charity in the last 1:07 allowed Tarlac to move a point closer, 17-18.
After teammate Francis de la Cruz tied the count, 18-all, Jelo Mangoba shattered the tie with a rainbow shot.
Then, Sagun finalized the count with a drive with 12.3 ticks to go.
Mangoba showed the way for Tarlac with nine points.
Twelve barangays in provinces around Luzon reached the national finals.
The final list of participants came from 41 teams, and since the tournament started on March 23, and with Arc Refreshment Corporation as organizers.
Sagun made a game-high nine points when Team Tarlac beat Bacoor, 13-12, in the semifinals.
Justin Ramos fired 15 points for Malolos when they turned back Binan, 21-12, in the other semis encounter.
The Metro Manila leg saw 24 barangays joining and with some making it to the finals.
Tarlac reached the semifinals after sweeping their 2-game assignment in the RC Cola bracket, with a 17-10, beating of Makati City, and a 16-11 edging of Caloocan City.
Malolos came up with a 2-game sweep with their 21-10 demolition of Calamba, and 17-8 crushing of Angeles of Pampanga.
A runner-up prize of P30,000 went to the Malolos cagers.