THE people behind the success of Batangas Athletics-Tanduay in the MPBL Anta Rajah Cup never expected the team to go that far.
But, when Jhaymo Eguilos made a jumper with 59 seconds to go, and the team scored a 68-66 verdict over the Muntinlupa Cagers-Angelis Resort, former mayor Dondon Dimacuha and team sponsor Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr. were overjoyed.
Batangas went on to wrap up their campaign in their best-of-five title series by winning three of four games in the finals.
They finally realized that Batangas will have the crown when in the next play, Muntinlupa center Pari Llagas bungled two of his free-throw attempts in the final 1.2 seconds.
“Kami sa Batangas City as masaya. Nung binuo ang team ay wala naman talaga kaming expectations,” said Dimacuha.
Dimacuha talked about the team’s success during a victory bash two weeks ago at the Sheraton Hotel in Manila with Tan.
In their final game, Moncrief Rogado, a native of Cebu, scored 14 points and Kier Quinto added 12 to lead Batangas.
Allan Mangahas tallied 23 points and 9 assists, and Dave Moralde made the game-winning basket, as the Muntinlupa Cagers
Earlier, Muntinlupa-Angelis Resort won the Batangas Athletics-Tanduay 82-77 in Game 3 in their home court in Muntinlupa.
The MPBL is a regional men’s professional basketball league in the Philippines that was launched by boxing icon Manny Pacquiao last August.
The league featured both a regional commercial and barangay-level format with teams on the commercial side to have a home locality in addition to a corporate sponsor.
On the other hand, Tan took note of the home-and-away format of the tournament, and the various venues the team played.
He believed that the team had a great start this way.
And the tournament, following his talks with Pacquiao, can improve if the venues are fixed, along with the air conditioning and security.
And he feels that the team could get a boost if they add retired player Jay Jay Helterbrand into their lineup.
Helterband, 41, hung his jersey from the PBA last year, following a colorful career that began in 2000.