Team Japeth/Adarna-A rules Ginebra 3X3 cagefest

CEBU, Philippines — Team Japeth Aguilar/Adarna-A bagged the championship of the Ginebra 3X3 Tapang ng Tatluhan Cebu Finals, outscoring Team Slaughter/San Remigio, 21-14, in the championship game held at the Barangay Tinago Sports Complex over the weekend.

James Ferraren showed why he was the go-to guy during his college days at the USPF, leading Team Japeth in and endgame run that broke the backs of Team Slaughter/San Remigio.

Team Slaughter took control of the game at the start, racing to a 6-1 lead. But team Japeth slowly rallied and tied the game for the first time at 10-all with three minutes left in the game.

The game was tied for a second time at 12-all before Team Japeth decided to settle the outcome for good. They went on an 8-0 run to take a commanding 20-12 lead with less than a minute left. Ferraren had four points in the run while Mark Panerio drilled a clutch two-pointer.

Team Slaughter had no answer against this scoring binge which had Ferraren scoring six straight points stretching to the run that tied the game for the first time.

Ferraren led Team Japeth/Adarna-A with 10 points while Panerio added six. Floyd Taboada led Team Slaughter with seven points.

Team Japeth started the one-day tournament by trashing Team Caguioa/SCSIT, 12-5, in the Round of 16. They overcame Team Ferrer/USPF 2, 13-10, in the quarterfinals, then stopped Team Caperal/J.Montesclaros, 20-16.

The team of former college varsity players won the cash prize of P20,000 and an all-expense paid trip to the national finals on July 5-7 at the Robinson’s Place Manila and Smart Araneta Coliseum. The team is composed of James Ferraren, Mark Panerio, Fritz Dajalos and Vernon Anfone. They are managed by Rolando Adarna.

On hand to grace the event were Ginebra San Miguel executives led by its Area Sales Manager Gerry Madamba. (FREEMAN)