EX-PROS Acuña, Lester Alvarez and Jhaymo Eguilos brought their winning ways to Batangas City and made the Athletics the inaugural champion of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League-Anta Rajah Cup.
On Thursday, the Athletics made history by becoming the first-ever champion of the fastest growing regional basketball league in the country put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao as the visiting Batangas City squad edged Muntinlupa, 68-66, in Game 4 of their best-of-five championship series before a jampacked crowd at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.
The trio, who had won championships in different levels, did not come up with usual numbers, but came through with baskets that mattered the most for the Tanduay-backed Athletics.
A 6’5” inside and out player, Eguilos knocked in a jumper that allowed the Athletics to regain the lead with 59 seconds to go.
After a missed offensive thrust at the other end, the Angelis Resort-supported Cagers were forced to give up a foul on Teytey Teodoro with 13 seconds to go. A usually steady performer, Teodoro missed both charities, allowing Muntinlupa an opportunity to tie the game or snatch a win with a three-point shot.
The Cagers went to swingman Dave Moralde, whose side attempt missed the target, but Pari Llagas picked up a rebound and was fouled in the process with 1.2 seconds left.
Unfortunately, Llagas missed both free throws as the Athletics escaped with the win.
“Ang sarap. Dugo at pawis kasi pinuhunan namin dito. Ibang-iba ‘yung feeling ng championship na ito. Sa PBA kasi, marami akong teammates na mas magagaling kaya sila bumubuhat sa amin. Dito naman, ramdam naming na mas importante kami kasi inaasahan kami ng team namin,” added Acuña.
Alvarez, teammate of Acuña at San Mig Coffee in the PBA, agreed with his friend’s observation.
“Ang masarap kasi rito ramdam na ramdam mo ‘yung importansiya na malaki ‘yung contribution mo. Dito kasi nakakalaro ako,” added Alvarez.
For Eguilos, winning an MPBL championship is another way of increasing his championship collections. He won two championships in the PCBL as a member of Jumbo Plastic, but the latest title could open up better things to come.