The Mystical Sphinx wins the championship round of men's Basketball against the Soaring Phoenix in a high-intensity do-or-die (106-100) victory held at the VSU Upper Oval Basketball Court.
1st Quarter: Sphinx 28-18 Phoenix
The Soaring Phoenix opens the game by winning the tip-off as they score the first 2 points of the game. Sphinx's Rebuyas #5 steals the ball and scores on a fast-break to equalize the surge. Sphinx's Abad #24 also scored on a fast-break after a steal to gain a (5-4) lead. Phoenix's Santos #6 and Belt Managbanag #11 scored back-to-back baskets to take a 5-9 advantage. Sphinx's Abad #24 scored back-to-back baskets to retake the lead, (12-11). The Mystical Sphinx went on to have a 16-2 run to extend the lead, (23-11) behind #24 Rolando Abad's back-to-back 3-point baskets and stellar defensive plays by #14 Abarquez. The Mystical Sphinx ended the 1st quarter with a (28-18) advantage.
2nd Quarter: Sphinx 44-45 Phoenix
Sphinx's Jayag #7 opened the 2nd quarter with a floater while Phoenix's Todavia #9 countered with a 3-pointer, (31-25). Both teams are showing equal intensity on defense in this quarter as both teams were trading baskets. Sphinx's Membrebe #2 hit a corner 3-point shot to extend the Sphinx lead (36-29). Phoenix's Olvis #15 answered with a corner 3-point shot of his own. The Soaring Phoenix showed an extreme intensity on the paint behind Managbanag #11 as they narrowed down the Sphinx lead, (38-36). Sphinx's Rebuyas #5 scored back-to-back fastbreak points to extend the lead to a (44-36) advantage. Phoenix's Managbanag #11 intercepted a Sphinx pass and scored back-to-back baskets in the paint to regain the lead with a (44-45) score in Soaring Phoenix's advantage. Sphinx's Abarquez #14 is at an early foul-trouble status with four personal fouls.
3rd Quarter: Sphinx 74-73 Phoenix
Phoenix's Bandibas #12 and Sphinx's Abad #24 traded baskets to start the 3rd quarter (50-49). Both teams traded baskets left and right in the early minutes of the 3rd quarter. Sphinx's Abad #24 scored an and-one in transition to stretch the Sphinx lead (58-52). The Soaring Phoenix went on to have a mini-run to take a 1-point lead, (60-61). Behind Mystical Sphinx's collective effort on defense, they tied the game at (64-64). Sphinx's Abad #24 and Rebuyas #5 led the Sphinx onslaught as they managed to get ahead at a (72-68) advantage. The Soaring Phoenix took the lead momentarily but the Mystical Sphinx hit the last shot at the end of the 3rd quarter to reclaim the advantage, (74-73).
4th Quarter: Sphinx 106 - 100 Phoenix
Sphinx's Abad #24 hit back-to-back 3-pointers to open the final quarter, (79-73). Phoenix's Managbanag #11 and Todavia #9 both answered with 3-pointers each of their own to narrow the Sphinx lead, (85-80). Phoenix's Managbanag #11 hit a 3-pointer again, (85-83). Sphinx's Abad #24 made a lay-up in transition to answer, (87-83). Phoenix's Todavia #9 hit a 3-pointer again to cut the Sphinx advantage to a single point, (87-86). Phoenix's Managbanag #11 tied the game at (89-89) with a 3-pointer. Sphinx's Gumaod #13 answered with a 3-pointer of his own. Sphinx's Rabuyas #5 scores in transition to take a (94-89) advantage against the Soaring Phoenix late in the 4th quarter.
Both teams traded baskets in the last 2 mins of the game (98-95). The Mystical Sphinx's rebounding prowess earned them a 5-point advantage, (100-95) in the last 1:56 sec in the 4th quarter. Phoenix's Managbanag #11 hit a long distance 3-pointer to cut the Sphinx lead, (100-98). Phoenix's Serviño #10 tied the game at (100-100) with 1:14sec left. Sphinx's Lopena #16 retook the lead (102-100) with 38 seconds remaining. Sphinx's Gumaod #13 follows up with 2 points with an offensive rebound after 2-missed free-throws, (104-100) with 15 seconds left. Sphinx's Abarquez #14 was fouled after a rebound and made 2 free-throws which iced the game as the Mystical Sphinx went on to win the Championship (106-100).
The dynamic-duo of Rolando Abad #24 and Marvin Rebuyas #5 combined for 56 points.
Abad claims the Most Valuable Player award.
"Thank you kaayo kay na achieve nako ni. Di nako ma achieve ang MVP kung wala ako teammates ug coaches nga nag supporta sa ako. Mga taga Mystical Sphinx, salamat kaayo," said Abad.
(I'm [Abad] thankful that I achieved this. I wouldn't have accomplished this MVP award without my teammates and coaches who supported me. Mystical Sphinx, thank you so much.)
Emild Joey Abarquez #14, Mystical Sphinx playing coach, also expressed his gratitude to God and his team. Abarquez also shared how they won.
"Nagpasalamat ko sa atong Ginoo. Nakadaog mi kay nagtinabangay man mi; walay basulay, focus lang sa game, " Abarquez #14 said.
(I'm [Abarquez] thankful to our Lord God. We won because of teamwork; we dont blame, we only focus on the game.)
Belt Managbanag #11 tallied 26 points in an attempt to carry the Soaring Phoenix.
The playing coach of the Soaring Phoenix, Hermogines Centes II, stated that it was a good fight against the Sphinx. Centes was grateful to his team because they were able to enjoy the game, and win the second place.