"WE JUST took it one game at a time. We are glad we nailed it," said multi-titled coach Isaias Gravador Jr. of Holy Cross of Davao College Crusaders who stirred the Sumo G.I. Sheets towards its first championship title.
The Sumo G.I. Sheets scored a stunning 77-56 victory over heavy-favorite Gold Star Davao in the Basketball Avenue Champions League finals held last March 11 at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym.
"We prepared the best as we could before the game and hoped for the best," he said, adding "I’m just happy for what the boys have achieved.”
Gravador continued to remind his wards to stay focused on their goal and never get distracted with their 47-25 lead at the half.
“I told them it’s not done yet until it’s done. I also told them that we, as a team, have played quite a number of championship games before and we knew how to play these kind of games," Gravador said.
But it was not an easy journey for the squad as they have to go through formidable opponents in the eliminations up to the knockout rounds.
The Sumo G.I. Sheets had a couple of beatdown in the eliminations that brought them to the lowest rank in the best four of their bracket.
"The toughest part was how to make my players believe that we can pull it off despite having the lowest rank. It could have been a blessing in disguise because playing as an underdog took the pressure away from the team and enjoyed every moment of the game," Gravador said.
The underdog team rose above the challenge with a pulsating win over the Three Seven in the quarterfinals, and regained the players' confidence as they conquered the crossover semifinals against Cherrylume to arrange a titular showdown against the undisputed Gold Star Davao.
James Linares paced the Sumo G.I. Sheets with 14 points against the Gold Star Davao to romp away with the most valuable player (MVP) award, P1,000 cash prize and a Reefside Surf Co. shirt.
Mileage Asia vice president and team manager Bong Tan, in a separate interview, was elated with the its first championship title in Davao City.
“Being the leading G.I. Sheet provider in the country, it was great blessing that our team was able to represent well the company. We are happy that we came out with the victory which will certainly inspire us to continue helping the sports development in Davao City,” Tan said who addressed his gratitude to Mileage Asia president Elmer Ngo for for his unending support.
The Sumo G.I. Sheets received P60,000 with a P3,500 gift check in Abuelos Sisig and a customized trophy from Tanduay Athletics.
Gold Star Davao, however, pocketed the 1st runner-up prize of P30,000 and a trophy.
RB3 Spartans, meanwhile, demolished Cherrylume, 91-77, in the battle for third to take home the P20,000 prize and a trophy in the event sponsored by Cherrylume, Mark Anthony Construction and Supply, Davao San EI Trading, The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Davies, Tanduay Athletics, Reefside Surf Co., Abuelos Sisig and Alibaba Shawarma. (ABM)