Minglanilla sweeps Dalaguete to grab Governor's Cup South crown

CEBU, Philippines - The Minglanilla Archangels swept Dalaguete in their best-of-three finals series but flirted first with disaster before finishing off the AgriSaurs in overtime, 98-90, to claim the South Division crown of the 2017 Cebu Governor's Cup Under-21 Inter-Cities and Municipalities Basketball Tournament at the full-packed Dalaguete Sports Complex last Sunday night.

Minglanilla suffered a monumental collapse after leading by as much as 26 points but rode on the heroics of Marc Glen Nebril, whose booming triple in the closing seconds of the regulation period saved the Archangels from imminent danger.

Nebril and his younger brother Mark Justin spewed fire from the get go to rally Minglanilla to a commanding 26-point lead twice, the last was at 51-25 with 4:42 left in the second quarter.

Minglanilla, however, suddenly went to the freezer and Dalaguete made the most out of the opportunity to stage a 18-4 counterattack spearheaded by Ericson Sangoyo that pulled them within 43-55 at halftime.

Dalaguete further accelerated still to eventually grab the driver's seat, 67-66, behind a 24-11 blitz late in the third period.

Minglanilla regained control early in the fourth canto but the momentum again shifted to Dalaguete's side at the final 2:35 mark.

Minglanilla still stared at defeat with a three-point deficit but Marc Glen Nebril played hero's role by knocking in a booming triple that tied the count at 82-all with 3.5 seconds remaining in the regulation period.

Nebril could have sealed the win outright for the Archangels as he fished a foul from Earl Justine Balbuena. However, he missed his gift shot in the face of a boisterous crowd, hence, the extension.

In the extra five-minute period, the two sides again engaged in a close-quarter battle but Mark Justin Nebril hit a crucial 3-pointer with 1:28 left that proved to be the turning point of Minglanilla's hard-earned victory.

Marc Glen Nebril showed the way for Minglanilla with 26 points.

Jan Mangaron scored 19, Mark Justin Nebril banged in 17 markers and Jiesel Tarrosa contributed 15 points as they now await the winner of the North Division finals between Mandaue City and Consolacion for the coveted Governor's Cup championship.

Sangoyo led the overachieving Dalaguete with 28 points. John Mark Pagula nailed 16, while Frederick John Selerio and Balbuena  charted 13 points each in a losing cause. (FREEMAN)