By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Mandurriao Cougars gave their all and scored a come-from-behind victory to clinch the JB Amateur Basketball League (JB ABL) 17-Under developmental league championship trophy over the talented Sta. Clarita Primes team, 61-58, last July 1, 2023, held at the Green Meadows basketball gym, Pavia, Iloilo.
It was what you expected in a championship game as both squads performed to their highest level but it was the young and aspiring ballers from Manduriao who stepped up in the clutch.
Trailing by double digits after Sta. Clarita went off to the races in the first quarter, the Cougars maintained their composure and quickly provided an offensive quarter in the second frame, officially putting themselves back in the game in just a blink of an eye.
Going up against a bigger and taller frontcourt of the Primes, the Cougars made a crucial adjustment in the last three quarters when they stepped on the gas pedal and played at a faster pace.
Every time they grabbed the leather, Mandurriao just ran and capitalized on every fast break opportunity which negated Sta. Clarita’s half-court defensive sets.
The Cougars also did a pretty decent job countering Sta. Clarita’s signature man-to-man defense when they deployed several off-the-ball movements sets for their quick guards.
Aside from their quickness inside the court, Mandurriao’s crisp ball movement also played a major role in helping them grab the championship title.
As Sta. Clarita attempted to quickly double Mandurriao’s guards when they received the ball, the Cougars wisely moved the ball and found their open big men underneath.
Sta. Clarita never backed down despite being down by as much as 10 points and came alive at the start of the fourth when their man-to-man pressure took effect, resulting in two-straight steals for five quick points.
The game turned out to be an intense nip-and-tuck affair in the last four minutes as both squads traded baskets every offensive possession.
However, it is in the last minute when the Cougars separated themselves, wanting the ball more with more offensive rebounds which gave them back-to-back possessions off missed free throws.
The Primes had one last chance to tie the game and force overtime but their three-point attempt from the right baseline went off and missed.
Adrian Quinicio was named the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) after putting up 17 points including three crucial baskets in the last five minutes of the game.
