THE UST Tigers bagged their first Millennium Basketball League (MBL) championship at the expense of the Foscon Ship Management team, 65-56, in their showdown at the Lyceum Gym last May 19.
Playing under the UST-Ironcon banner, the Tigers bested six teams in the preseason tournament.
“The players have already developed a winning attitude in preparation for the UAAP season and for the Filoil games,” said Tigers coach Pido Jarencio.
Veteran guard Jeric Fortuna was named tournament MVP, a distinction that showed in the last game where he erupted with 16 points.
Fortuna unleashed seven crucial jumpers to give the España contingent a 15-point cushion, 59 -44, in the payoff period.
“[Winning the game] felt good because the game built character for all of us,” said Fortuna.
Big man Chris Camus denied Foscon’s attempt at a comeback by stealing the ball from Nino Marquez. Another basket put UST comfortably ahead by 10 points, 66-56, with only a minute left in the game.
With a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals, the España-based dribblers walloped third-seeded Hobe Bihon group, 75-65, last May 14 to book an easy trip to the finals. They earlier lost to the Hobe squad,72-7, last May 12.
“The team is already complete. With just a little motivation, the team is ready to win. The MBL championship can serve as a winning outlook to prepare for future sports competitions,” Jarencio said. Fidel Elino Miguel P. Flores
THE SCORES:
UST-Ironcon (66) – Fortuna 16, Afuang 12, Bautista 11, Teng 6, Ferrer 6, Camus 6, Abdul 4, Pe 4, Tan 3, Aytona 0, De Guzman 0, Javier 0, Lo 0, Sheriff 0, Ungria 0.
Foscon (56) – Tajonera 22, Marquez 11, Martinez 9, Daroya 5, Villaflor 4, Gonzalco 3, Clemente 2, Paclipan 0, Castro 0, Calimpong 0.
QUARTER SCORES: 15-11, 26-19, 53-39, 66-56
