THE Holy Trinity College (HTC) Wildcats defended its title after escaping the hard-fighting Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) Lady Crusaders 76-73, in a roller coaster-like championship game of the Mindanao Peace Games (MPG) 2017 Women's Basketball Tournament held at the Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) Martin Hall Gym along Jacinto Street, Davao City over the weekend.
But for HTC coach JP Torijos, the back-to-back title is just a bonus from their main objective which is to develop his players’ values and bridging gaps.
"Di lang para ma-develop yung skills nila sa basketball but para din matuto sila na ang life sa basketball is a lesson. Dito sa MPG, made-develop din nila yung attitude nila towards different people coming from different cultures," said Torijos while thanking the HTC president, Rey Albano, and the HTC staff for the support as well as MPG main convener Noli Ayo for creating a milestone event that would elevate the culture of sports.
Annie Sacramento, meanwhile, scored 15 points to pace the Wildcats who also leaned on the services of Jonaline Bajao who had nine buckets.
But Cherryl Sanate and Gwyneth Camasura's heroics towed back the Wildcats who blew their 12-point advantage less than two minutes left in the payoff period.
Sanate, however, sizzled 11 points while Camasura added seven.
HTC had a three-point lead, 71-68, barely 18.1 seconds left in the game when HCDC's Celeste Dizon sank a triple to tie the game at 71-all.
Camasura, however, had a quick answer for the Wildcats to regain the lead 73-71 with 13.5 time left that forced HCDC to call a timeout.
HCDC's star player Alrine Baluran, fresh from a 30-second breather, delivered a floater at ease to tie the game again at 73-all.
Having the final ball possession, Torijos called a timeout to plan their final strategy and that was to set Sanate to isolation where she does best.
Sanate then executed a killer crossover and drove hard to the basket for a three-point play opportunity and capped the game with a converted charity, sealing a 76-73 win.
“Pressure po masyado kasi nasa akin po nakasalalay yung game kasi kung hindi ko po ma-shoot yung last shot ko 50-50 na kami manalo,” Sanate, in a separate interview.
She, however, said joining MPG is a great opportunity to meet different cultures and meet new friends apart from playing the game.
The Wildcats also leaned on the services of Mailyn Jane Gascon, Jean Irish Lentic, Krizza Felisida, Bambee Franco, Annie Rose Sacramento, Jade Charisse Mosqueda, Rica Jane Cantoja and Kennah Manjares, Gwyneth Joy Camasura.