HUA Siong College of Iloilo-Lamtex Pipes would not be denied, claiming the inaugural Fil-Chinese Athletic Association Inc. (FCAAI) 40s Division crown with a thrilling 89-85 Game Three triumph over Xavier School-Acrocity x Zhoosh Friday night at PlayTime Filoil Centre in San Juan.
Ken Bono was the difference-maker in the clincher as he was unstoppable inside and out and racked 21 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists to win the Finals MVP honors and, more importantly, deliver the maiden championship to HSCI.
James Yap was just as magnificent, with the two-time PBA MVP doing it all with his 19 points, 10 boards, five boards, and five assists to add another chip to his already gaudy trophy collection.
Rhagnee Sinco also bounced back from a forgettable Game Two showing and exploded for 26 points, three rebounds, and two assists in the decider of this alumni league which has PGFlex Linoleum, Cellboy, Triangle Tires, Jiang Nan, BYD Valenzuela, Powerhouse Tools, Hangry Pares, Genius, and Lamtex Pipes serving as co-presentors.
The trio conspired in HSCI’s 12-0 charge which turned a 66-all deadlock to a 78-66 lead, but Joseph Yeo kept AAXS in the game, responding with a 16-6 response to cut the deficit to just two points, 84-82, with 1:23 to go.
Chris Tiu had a chance to take the lead in the final minute for Xavier, but he missed his right wing three. Elduardo Allado would answer back with a three of his own with 18.2 ticks left to seal the victory for Hua Siong.
Yeo gave it his all for Xavier with 38 points on an 8-of-22 shooting from deep, to go with seven assists, four rebounds, and four steals, while Tiu notched 16 points and four boards in the runner-up finish.
The Scores:
HSCI – LAMTEX PIPES 89 – Sinco 26, Bono 21, Yap 19, Allado 11, Canuday 8, Teneso 4, Villegas 0, Barcellano 0, Rizaga 0.
AAXS – ACROCITY X ZHOOSH 85 – Yeo 38, Tiu 16, P. Chua 8, Liao 6, Sioco 6, J. Chua 4, Go 4, Tan 3, Ng 0, Noel 0, Chu 0, Syiaco 0.
Quarters: 16-19, 35-34, 59-57, 89-85.
