USC-NABC Mayor’s Cup: 2002 Goats, ‘99ers clinch back-to-back championships

CEBU, Philippines — The 2002 Goats and the ‘99ers basked in the glow of back-to-back championship glory in the University of San Carlos-North Alumni Basketball Conference (USC-NABC) Cebu City Mayor’s Cup 2019 at the USC-North Campus gym.

Bull-strong center Enrico Llanto bulldozed his way to a monster double-double show of 24 points and 25 rebounds laced with five assits, four steals and two blocks as the Goats swept the 2001 Shipmen anchored on an 81-56 rout in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals series to defend their Division 2 crown.

Llanto’s all-around hardcourt brilliance earned him the Finals MVP trophy. His teammates Joseph Move and Joel Dinawanao made it to the Mythical Five together with Marck Campomanes of Batch 2005, Miguel Peras of Batch 2003, and Condrad Plando of Batch 2001.

The ‘99ers, on the other hand, stayed champs after completing a two-game sweep of the 1998 Sipat, 82-63, to rule Division 1.

Do-it-all forward Fritz Villamor unloaded 30 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals for the ‘99ers to emerge the hands choice as Finals MVP.

 Villamor and his ‘99ers sidekick Joseph Chu Bragat were named to the Mythical Five alongside Jake Saturinas and Al Bughao of Batch 2007 and Criz Matunog of Batch 1998.

In the seniors division, the 1985 Legends took home the champion’s trophy after applying the broom on the 1988 Barako, 82-65.

Ex-pro Lou Regidor paced the Legends with 27 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and two steals to romp off with the Finals MVP honors.

Regidor was joined in the Mythical Five by Hector Lawas of Batch ‘90, Dindo Sausa of Batch ‘88, and Arturo Pepito Mata and Bingo Matugas of Batch ‘86.

In Division 3, Michael Balankig sizzled with 23 points, five rebounds and three assists while King Osabel dropped 28 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals as the 2013 District lashed back at the 2015 Samurais in overtime, 75-66, to forge a rubbermatch in their championship series on Sunday, November 24.

Under the supervision of commissioner Jax Bautista, this year’s USC-NABC season ended on a highly successful note behind the all-out support of USC alumni president Ryan Villaflores, USC-NABC president Ernest Evangelista and the league’s Board of Directors in Jonathan Saso, Ian Callet, Tope Osorio, Byol Tan and Dave Guardiario.