Red bags Abbariao cage title

CEBU, Philippines - Customs Police Boodie Monteño scored 10 points and dished out the same number of assists as TeamRedhacked out a 77-62 victory over the Green squad to win the championship of the 1st Major Alfonso C. Abbariao Memorial Cup basketball tournament at the Benedicto College gym along A.S. Fortuna Street in Brgy. Banilad, Mandaue City.

Monteño made his presence felt by igniting a 10-0 spurt that enabled Red to regain a double-digit lead, 49-38.

Red's victory was already in the bag at the final two minutes of the contest when the red-hot Jingjing Rama, who was in scoring frenzy to lead Green's campaign with 29 points, hurt his right ankle while retrieving the ball of his own miss.

Adam Mose, who is also a Customs Police, topscored for Red with 17 points, while Ronan Cañete and Bryan Rabago chipped in 16 markers apiece.

Rama, the undisputed scoring leader in the league, sank four triples including a rare four-point play before leaving the court with an injury.

Ex-pro and former UV Lancer Bonel Balingit, the "Gentle Giant" from Lanao del Norte, was invited by Rama to grace the final match.

Cebu Customs Police chief Capt. Jerry Arizabal received the championship trophy.

In the battle for third place, Team Yellow, led by Mactan Collector Bingo Matugas who had five triples of his 16 points, defeated Blue of District Collector Atty. Ronnie Silvestre, 64-53.

Mamasao Capalan banged in with 16 points for Yellow followed by Jojo Quinio with 10. (FREEMAN)