Photo by Randolph B. Leongson/ INQUIRER.net
Fil-Am guard Kihei Clark, Ateneo playmaker SJ Belangel, and teen prodigy Kai Sotto lifted Team Cherifer Hustle in a thrilling 99-91 win over Team Cherifer Heart in the 2018 Darlington NBTC Division 1 All-Star Game Friday at Mall of Arena.
The trio were sensational for the Topex Robinson-mentored crew as they toppled the Chris Gavina-coached squad bannered by Fil-Am high-flyer Jalen Green.
Clark, who represented Filam Sports USA, was all over the game with 13 points, seven boards, six assists, and three steals to be adjudged as the All-Star MVP.
Belangel topscored for Cherifer Hustle with 16 markers, while Sotto put up 15 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.
“It’s really an honor for me. Just like what I told my players, we always honor the people that open the doors for us,” said Robinson. “We leave a legacy for the kids that are gonna follow them. It’s exciting to see them and be a part of their careers.”
Cherifer Hustle was holding on to a close 84-80 lead in the last four minutes before NU Bullpup Terrence Fortea’s triple triggered the decisive run capped off by another three from Belangel to make it an 11-point lead, 93-82 with 2:18 remaining.
Also joining the trio in Cherifer Hustle were Will Gozum, Miguel Oczon, RJ Abarrientos, Matthew Daves, Mac Guadana, Rhayyan Amsali, CJ Cansino, Alex Visser, Cooper McLaughlin, Joem Sabandal, and Harvey Pagsanjan.
“Everybody really wanted to contribute, that’s how we honor the game, by giving our best, playing the right way,” said Robinson.
Dave Ildefonso paced Cherifer Heart with 15 points and four rebounds, while Green wound up with 11.
They were joined by John Galinato, L-Jay Gonzales, Brandon Wilson, Joel Cagulangan, Warren Bonifacio, Joshua Yerro, Aaron Fermin, Raven Cortez, Maui Cruz, Clint Escamis, Beirn Laurente, Inand Fornillos, and Taine Davis.
Meanwhile, Raphael Dimayuga of La Salle-Lipa came up big in the clutch for the Kiefer Ravena-coached Team Cherifer Dedication as it slipped past the Jeron Teng-mentored Team Cherifer Passion, 91-89, in the 2018 Darlington Division 2 All-Star Game.
Dimayuga drilled the huge triple with 1:21 remaining, before Ryan Cruz of Bacolod Tay Tung High School followed up with the go-ahead bucket to swing the lead in favor of Cherifer Dedication, 90-89, with 29 seconds remaining.
James Barrera could only settle for a split with 1.4 seconds remaining to give his side the two-point lead, keeping the door alive for Cherifer Passion, but Harold Alarcon muffed his potential game-winning triple at the buzzer.
Dimayuga paced Cherifer Dedication with 20 points and three rebounds to be named as the All-Star MVP.
Shawn Algire of St. Benilde International School Calamba poured 14 markers and five boards, Janwell Famaranco of Hercor College of Roxas got 14 points and six rebounds, and Barrera, also of Bacolod Tay Tung, tallied 10 markers and 14 boards in the win.
Marc Angcap of University of Luzon-Dagupan led Cherifer Passion with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Kevin Barranco of St. Robert’s International School Ilo-ilo got 13 markers.
The Scores:
Division 1 All-Star Game:
CHERIFER HUSTLE 99 — Belangel 16, Sotto 15, Clark 13, Gozum 13, Fortea 10, Oczon 4, Abarrientos 4, Amsali 4, Davis 4, Guadaña 4, Cansino 3, McLaughlin 2, Pagsanjan 2, Sabandal 2, Visser 2.
CHERIFER HEART 91 — Galinato 15, Ildefonso 15, Gonzales 12, Green 11, Wilson 9, Cagulangan 7, Bonifacio 6, Fermin 6, Yerro 6, Cortez 2, Cruz 2, Davis 0, Escamis 0, Fornilos 0, Laurente 0.
Quarters: 18-18, 38-40, 67-63, 99-91.
Division 2 All-Star Game:
CHERIFER DEDICATION 91 — Dimayuga 20, Algire 14, Famaranco 14, Barrera 10, Del Rosario 7, Cruz 6, Gomez 6, Untalan 5, Tolentino 4, Ong 2, Pagcu 2, Lazarte 1, Garcia 0, Javier 0, Liu 0.
CHERIFER PASSION 89 — Angcap 16, Barranco 13, Alarcon 8, Doromal 8, Janao 8, Abila 6, Pinero 6, Platon 6, Castisimo 4, Ocancas 4, Santos 4, Pepito 3, Sablaon 3, Halasan 0, Itao 0.
Quarters: 18-20, 34-40, 63-68, 91-89.