CHAMP1ONS
League IV.43 Playoffs
Season 23 League Final Game 2
Great 8 #1 Bacoor Blades @ Big 8 #1 Citta Italia Rangers
22:11
The road to redemption has been completed.
The Bacoor Blades have defeated the Citta Italia Rangers, 136-82, in Game 2 of the League IV.43 Finals at the Citta Itala Arena, sweeping the Rangers, 2-0.
The Blades displayed that amidst the fact that they identified themselves as a defensive team, they were still capable of putting the ball in the basket as they shot 51% from the field, while holding their adversaries to just 33%. It was a no-contest in the rebounding battle as the Blades handily won that category 66-41 and their paint defense was impeccable, typified by their 19-2 shot blocking edge.
The Blades tried to dictate the pace of the game in the first quarter, but the Rangers were quick to react as they tried to slash their way inside to draw fouls and get to the line, putting Pedro Horcasitas and Eugenio Genco in early foul trouble. But after a Blades timeout, the Cavite five saw renewed confidence and established their pace by running as they won the period, 28-14.
The second quarter saw the Blades pull away for good as they continued to pound the offensive glass for second chance opportunities. Three point baskets from Horcasitas did not help the Rangers cause either as they kept on missing him on their defensive rotations that found him open at almost every time. Halftime saw the Blades up 71-35 and from that point on the game was no longer in doubt as the offensive putbacks continue to haunt the Rangers defense as they found themselves completely outmatched from the frontline.
Eight players scored in double-figures for Bacoor, with team co-captain Kelly Paul notching game high 24 points and 15 rebounds. Two other Blades players had double-doubles, with Eugenio Genco netting 16 and 12 rebounds and super-sub Eladio Martin with 14 points and 10 caroms.
The home side was paced by Krstivoje Petrović's 19 points, but it took him a whopping 33 shots to get there. The rest of the Rangers' esteemed "Fab Five" scored 50 points, but with not a lot of bench help as they only chipped in 13.
"These guys deserve this victory, the title and everything that goes with it." said an obviously-elated team manager TheDogMan. "After all that they've been through the past three seasons, this is sweet vindication."
As the final buzzer sounded, co-captains Paul and Mark Louis Hugos shared tears of joy as their efforts have been reciprocated with the franchise's first-ever taste of silverware. Hugs and high fives were abound as they couldn't be stopped from celebrating their victory on enemy grounds.
In a surprise appearance for the first time since he parted ways with the Blades in Season 20, legendary forward Insa Saady, who led the team to their first League Final back in Season 20, was present to congratulate the squad for a job well done.
"It was a shaky process for them since Season 20. But I'm very proud that they actually made it this time. They played as a team and won as a team. They had their leaders and role players. This team is as sound as it was all season." said the 36 year-old Saady, who recently retired from basketball.
"After all this time, we can finally say that we are Champions." said the 6'9" American. "We did it. We can finally say that we got promoted to Division III as the Champs."
"Eto na ang pinakamasayang sandali na career ko bilang player. First title ko 'to, ang saya talaga." said a still teary-eyed Hugos, who had 12 points and eight assists in the victory.
The challenge now for this crew is to try and make up for their initial stint in Division III as they begin their journey starting next season.