SURIGAO—Excellence promised. Excellence delivered.
Tougher when it mattered, NorthEastern Mindanao Colleges reclaimed the Surigao City basketball crown in record-setting fashion as the Warriors scored an 81-64 decision over the Surigao Education Center Tigers Monday night that capped a perfect 3-0 season before an adoring throng at the Surigao City Auditorium.
Gerald Marquez produced a performance worthy to be the Most Valuable Player award, Jobert Lopez delivered in the clutch as he had all season, and Eutaquio Alaba provided NEMCO a steady presence in crunchtime as the Warriors roared to their first crown in five years.
NorthEastern Mindanao Colleges Young Warriors set up the championship double by crushing the Surigao City High School, 65-52, to survive the best-of-three juniors’ finals earlier.
It marked only the first time that a school pulled off a sweep of the collegiate and juniors crowns in the Surigao City.
“Excellent,” said NEMCO coach Clint Mondano when asked to describe their big season.
“This victory belongs to our team, our supporters and the NEMCO community. I don’t think there’s any team in this league that works harder,” added Mondano who collected his first title as coach of the NEMCO Warriors in his first coaching job in Surigao City.
An intimidating force inside, Lopez, Lumpay, Hibaya, Toring, and Ugay, pumped in 24 points, grabbed 19 rebounds and blocked five shots combined in a sensational effort.
“Everybody just made a complete turnaround,” said Mondano.
The 5-foot-11 Marquez struck with 28 points, including four straight when the Tigers came within six points in the last 3:30.
When the final buzzer sounded, players jumped in delight around an ecstatic Mondano.
Except for a late run by the Tigers midway in the fourth period, the Warriors were hardly troubled in avenging their finals loss last year.
Four straight charities by Alaba following a technical foul on the Warriors bench allowed the Tigers to trim the gap, 66-72.
In the juniors finals, Willie Polina, fired 18points and dished out four assists as the Young Warriors collected their 1st crown.