Sugbu Max Bond crowned CABC Buildrite Cup champions

CEBU, Philippines —  Personifying teamwork anchored on the deadly one-two punch of Criz Matunog and Chester Hinagdanan, the Sugbu Max Bond upended Metro Cebu Flexicrete, 90-83, in their knockout final match to clinch the championship of the Cebu Architects Basketball Club’s 1st Buildrite Cup over the weekend at the Benedicto College gym along A.S. Fortuna Street in Mandaue City.

Matunog and Hinagdanan unloaded 18 points  apiece, even as they also combined for nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals and one block for Max Bond, which used a sizzling 21-12 rally in the second period to turn a 19-21 deficit into a 40-33 advantage at halftime.

Max Bond stretched its lead to 12 points, 64-52, after three quarters but Flexicrete staged a daring 12-1 counter-attack to pull within just a hairline, 64-65.

Max Bond, however, quickly regained its offensive bearing to the way to secure a rousing seven-point triumph.

Matunog, who shot a spectacular 6-of-12 from the 3-point land, romped off with the Finals MVP award. Hinagdanan was similarly impressive, hitting 5-of-9 from the field and made all but one of his eight free throws.

Chad Go also shined brightly for Max Bond with 13 points on a hot 6-of-11 sniping he laced with three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Renzel Lazarte added 10 points, six rebounds, and two steals, while Dexel Caadan scored only nine but was a monster on defense with 17 boards, three dimes, two steals, and one block.

Oliver Tan, one of CABC’s founding officers, also had a significant contribution, nailing six markers on top of four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in just 11 minutes of play for Max Bond.

“As district director for the region of the United Architects of the Philippines, I am especially proud for the champions-the UAP Sugbu, which I am a member since 2005,” said Buck Sia, one of Max Bond’s team leaders.”Sugbu basketball is team Basketball, setting aside personal interest. This is a perfect example how the real world of architecture is, a collaborative effort, shared leadership, and picking up your teammates or colleagues when the going gets tough.”

Meanwhile, in the battle for third place, Justin Aspacio sank a buzzer-beating triple to lift Datu Lapu-Lapu Sapal 2N1 to a nerve-wracking 91-89 win over Cebu Sinclair Paints. Aspacio finished with 15 points, two rebounds, and two assists.

Elmer Cabigas topped Sapal 2N1 with 19 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Three others cashed in double figures, with Lemuel Aspacio, Darren Morandante, and Carlos Baltar conniving for 43 points.

CABC’s comeback season was made possible through the support of Buildrite Construction Chemicals headed by its national sales manager Gerald Lentorio, Erwin Dalut (technical sales), and Jedo Pogado (trade marketing). — EBV