GlobalPort dethrones Rain or Shine, sweeps way to second PGBL crown
The GlobalPort Spurs ripped defending champion Rain or Shine Tigerscribes, 80-62, Monday night in the championship match of the 4th Pakitang Basketball League Willie Caballes Cup—logging two tournament milestones in the process at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
The Spurs became the first two-time champion of the league backed by the Philippine Sportswriters Association, the PBA and the PSC.
Riding on the trio of Aldo Aviñante, Jerome Lagunzad and Paolo Poblador, GlobalPort also became the first team to sweep its way to the title in the league for sports journalists.
Aviñante spearheaded a 12-0 run in the first period that turned a 5-7 deficit into a 17-7 lead that the Spurs just kept adding to.
With a stingy defense that fueled a torrent of transition attacks, GlobalPort even built a 24-point lead early in the fourth.
Aviñante poured 17 of his 29 points in the opening quarter and added four rebounds to also bag the Finals MVP plum.
Poblador chipped in 21 and six assists while Lagunzad racked up six points, eight boards, two steals and three blocks.
Tournament scoring champion Cedelf P. Tupas of the Inquirer led Rain or Shine with 16 points.
Best Center’s Christian Jacinto was named season MVP while teammate Arnold Cagang won Rookie of the Year honors.
