Cougars edge Engineers in thriller, cop UCAA crown

MANILA, Philippines - Colegio de Sta. Monica pounced on a costly endgame turnover by Technological Institute of the Philippines to pound out a 73-72 victory in sudden death and capture the ninth Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) basketball tournament crown at the Olivarez gym in Sucat over the weekend.

American reinforcement Anthony Hargrove fumbled as he tried to drive into Bishop Torres and Daniel Flores with 2.2 seconds to go, enabling the Cougars to snatch possession and the victory for their first-ever title.

John Orbeta showed the way for the Cougars with 16 points, while Mark Montilla banged in 15 points and bagged the MVP honors in the cagefest supported by Mikasa and Molten Balls.

Hargrove shot a game-high 28 points but was held to just six points in the final quarter. Greg Aguilar wound up with nine points for the Engineers.

Orbeta sank four charities in the fourth period, including two with 3:25 left as the Cougars padded their lead at 71-66. His second pair of charities with 1:04 remaining came after Hargrove’s split and Kent Lamique’s trey as the Engineers closed in at 70-71.

Orbeta’s last pair of charities handed the Cougars a 73-70 lead.