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Excelroof bags PBL crown
(March 28, 2010)

The Excelroof 25ers are on top of the world.

And they should as the 25ers completed their Cinderella finish – the first since 1995.

Drawing another gutsy performance from Calvin Abueva and Jimbo Aquino in the payoff period, the Excelroof 25ers outlasted the Pharex B-Complex Fighting Maroons, 97-92, to clinch the 2010 PBL PG Flex Erase Placenta Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

Aquino scattered nine points in the last six minutes, including a booming triple, while the hard-working Abueva added six markers as the 25ers completed their amazing comeback from several 10-point deficits in the third quarter.

“It’s the character of the boys that carried us to victory, they worked so hard and never lost their resolve even if we fell by 10 points,” said coach Ato Agustin. “I am going to cherish this win.”

The championship was indeed so sweet for the San Sebastian coach as he became the latest member of the elite club that won the league’s champion as a player and coach.

“I’m so blessed. I hope this would not end,” said Agustin, who helped the fabled YCO, Hope and RFM squads to several championships when the league is still known as Philippine Amateur Basketball League (PABL).

Again, Agustin, who masterfully shuffled his key playerts, paid tribute to the gung-ho kind of game Abueva dished out to cap his wondrous week – he also keyed the team’s victory over the second-ranked Cobra Energy Drink.

“He’s really a gem of a player,” said Agustin, who thanked team owner Edwin Chua and team manager Oliver Gianan for their all-out support.”

After a hard and long chase, the 25ers finally grabbed the lead for good when Adrian Celeda knocked in a triple for an 83-81. Aquino capped the mighty 6-0 run with another jumper for an 85-81 lead.

Clutch free throws by Pamboy Raymundo, who topscored for the Excelroof with 24 points, kept Pharex at bay.

Abueva, who emerged as the Finals MVP, had another double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds. He also had two steals to beat Aquino for the Finals MVP.

Aquino, who emerged as NCAA’s Finals MVP, finished with 18 points on 8-of18 shooting.

Incidentally, Aquino, Raymundo and Abueva were the same players who powered San Sebastian to NCAA championship against San Beda.

The 25ers led 36-28 in the second quarter but fell into a maze of errors that opened the door for Pharex to mount a comeback and even take a 57-48 lead midway in the third quarter.

Vic Manuel, who bagged the Best Player of the Conference, rebounded from a so-so-performance to lead Pharex with 19 points.

He suffered a bloodied nose – after he was elbowed by Gilbert Bulawan -- and that slowed him down.

The scores:

Excelroof 97 -- 24, Abueva 22, Aquino 18, Del Rio 8, Taylor 7, Celda 5, Sangalang 4, Bulawan 3, Pascual 3, Mendoza 3, Bagatsing 0, Delgado 0.

Pharex 92 – Manuel 19, Braganza 14, Reyes 12, Tecson 10, David 8, Arao 7, Gutilban 7, Co 6, Lopez 5, Reyes M. 4, Adolfo 0, Sison 0.

Quarters: 20-21; 43-45; 69-73; 97-92

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