SIP wins its fourth title

Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense-Flor Miranda/C&J Sign returned to the top of the hill Sunday night after winning Game 3 of their best-of-five series against Cabalen-RP Construction/Transamerica in the finals of the Budweiser-Coca Cola 6th UFO Inter-Organizational Basketball League.

With a jam-packed crowd on hand at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, SIP perfectly executed their full-court defense, forced countless turnovers, and held off a late charge to win their fourth championship in six seasons with a 95-86 victory.

Determined to recover from their Game 2 defeat last March 12, SIP came into the game ready and showed it quickly as the team was able to grab the early advantage and led 17-13 in a low-scoring first quarter.

The SIP cagers were able to stretch their lead in the second period as veteran playmaker Rick Alegre took on a different role and spearheaded a 23-point push with four field goals and three markers from the charity line.

While Alegre was having a fiesta, Cabalen struggled and was held to just 12 points, resulting in a 40-25 halftime lead for SIP.

Cabalen tried to recover from their slow start and kicked off the second half on the right foot, pulling to within 11 points, 35-46, almost three minutes into the third stanza. SIP, however, put up a quick response and went on a 12-4 run capped by consecutive triples by Robert “Onyok” Tamondong to go up 58-39 with 3:31 remaining.

The two teams would trade baskets, but turnovers in the dying minutes of the period were costly for Cabalen as SIP took advantage of the opportunity and closed with a 4-0 run with Edmark Mendoza and Tamondong scoring on quick transition baskets in the final seconds for a 20-point spread, 69-49.

The Cabalen cagers knew it was do or die and unleashed a furious charge that brought the team back in contention to open the fourth period.

Ed Palma, Dalewin Cortez, Eric Dalangin, and Ronald Delos Reyes fueled an explosive 17-6 run in the first five minutes of the quarter, with Delos Reyes and Palma nailing back-to-back jumpers from beyond the 3-point arc to bring Cabalen to within nine points, 66-75.

To the dismay of the Cabalen faithful, however, SIP was able to regroup and regain their double-digit lead as Alegre made good on another drive, Peter Mendiola knocked in a bomb, and Edsel Mendoza penetrated for an 82-66 lead with four minutes left.

Former SIP gunner Sonny Ranola was able to bring hope back to Cabalen with a triple, and the two teams traded baskets before Cabalen took a timeout with two minutes remaining and SIP leading 86-73.

The lead was cut to 10 points when Palma went 3-for-3 from the free throw line. A free throw by Alegre and a layup by forward Junar Guiab gave SIP more room, but Ranola put up an answer again, connecting on another triple to bring Cabalen back to within 10 again, 79-89, with 1:27 left.

A triple by Dalangin a couple of seconds later enabled Cabalen to close to within nine points, 82-91, but that was the last time Cabalen threatened as SIP was able to close out the bout with free throws.

Alegre led five SIP cagers in double figures with a game-high 24 points, while Guiab and Edsel Mendoza supported with 16 and 12 points. Elmer Esdrelon and Edmark Mendoza also contributed 11 and 10 points. Alegre also had a nice all-around game, finishing with nine rebounds, eight assists, and two steals.

Palma and Dalangin paced Cabalen with 22 points apiece, while Delos Reyes added 16 points. Dalangin and Delos Reyes shared rebounding honors with 15 each.

The contest was no doubt very entertaining, and shortly after, 80-year-old fan Rosita Nable expressed her satisfaction.

“I’m very happy that it was a very successful league and no one got hurt. Most importantly, all things work together for good for all those who believe in Him,” she said.

SIP 95 – R. Alegre 24, Guiab 16, Eds. Mendoza 12, Esdrelon 11, Edm. Mendoza 10, Tamondong 8, Mendiola 7, Ja. Villacrusis 3, Garcia 2.

Cabalen 86 – Palma 22, Dalangin 22, Delos Reyes 16, Cortez 9, Ranola 8, Mungcal 3, Arnedo 3, Gatdula 2, Ocampo 1.

Scoring by quarters: 17-13, 40-25, 69-49, 95-86.

Referees: Dado Vistal, Jess Pacheco, and Arnold Mesa.