Philip Cezar-mentored Jaguars bag UCAA crown
MANILA, Philippines—Vic Manuel finished his collegiate basketball career with a flourish, powering the Philippine School of Business Administration to the 10th Universities and Colleges Athletic Association championship with a 114-106 double-overtime win over Olivarez College on Saturday.
The versatile big man exploded for 45 points, including 11 in the second overtime session, to lead the Jaguars to a 2-1 series win over the Sea Lions at the Pasay Sports Complex.
Manuel sparked a 6-0 run in the extra period, before finishing off the Sea Lions with a drive for a 109-103 lead with more than a minute remaining.
It was the Jaguars’ first UCAA crown in seven years.
Fatigue and foul trouble doomed the Sea Lions, who forced the winner-take-all duel with an 83-74 conquest in Game 2 last Wednesday.
“They ran out of players,” said PSBA coach Philip Cezar, the Crispa Redmanizers legend. “They gave us a very tough fight, but my players did not give up and kept on fighting.”
Mark de la Cruz paced the Lions with 37 points, including a basket that kept the Sea Lions within striking distance, 106-109.
Free throws from BJ Erol Role and Justine Puno in the last 20.1 seconds preserved the win for the Jaguars.
Manuel, the hands-down choice for Most Valuable Player in the tournament backed by Mikasa and Molten Balls, was also named to the mythical five, along with Dela Cruz, Philip Coronel, Puno and Manuel L. Quezon University’s Jopher Custodio.
Manuel could have won the game in the first overtime but only managed a split from the line in the final 22.4 seconds for a 99-all count. He forced the first overtime with a jumper, with 32.2 ticks left.
