HAOJUE Motorcycle once again proved that defense wins championship, relying on a stingy full-court defense to stun RGMA Kapuso in a come-from-behind fashion, 71-68, in their championship battle of the Mabolo Community Basketball Association (MCBA) and Media Organization Basketball Tournament last Sunday at the Mabolo Sports Complex.
In control for most part of the game, RGMA appeared ready to bring home the title when it closed the first half with a sizable 46-30 lead.
RGMA continued its onslaught in the early part of the third period with RGMA shooter Winston Vendor draining two triples and Jely Racaza catching fire from the perimeter.
Sensing trouble, the desperate Haojue cagers resorted to a choking full-court defense, forcing one turnover after another that resulted to easy transition points, enbaling them to move within three points, 55-58, with one quarter left.
The champion team finally tied the score at 64-all in the final 1:40 before Frank Lagos and Roland Medina came up with two defensive stops as Haojue closed the game with a 7-4 run to clinch the title.
Rick Razon topped the champion squad with 17 points 12 rebounds and two steals. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA