THE ATHLETES for Christ in Excellent Service (Aces) captured the championship in the 34-below division after they outlasted the Bible Baptist Church Shepherds, 64-58, in a tightly contested finals in the 2012 Fellowship of Christian Athletes Basketball League at the Living Word Christian Church center in Banawa.
The Aces of head coach Al Solis turned to their veteran leaders down the stretch to build up a double-digit advantage and eventually hold off the Shepherds.
The title win was a complete turnaround from last year’s outcome in the same competition, wherein the Aces were heavily favored to take the crown but lost in the finals.
Former University of Southern Philippines Foundation gunner Jimboy Filoteo paced the Aces with 12 while Bon Rosito chipped in with 10.
Filoteo’s teammate on the Panthers, Ellison Rivera, led the Shepherds with 14 while Joshua Yam added 10. Filoteo was named into the Mythical Five and bagged the Best Scorer, Three-Point King and the Most Valuable Player award.
Joining him on the Mythical Five were Aces teammate Vernini Tangarorang, current Cebu Institute of Technology-University forward Bridrik Brigoli, Ryan Miro and former University of the Visayas slam-dunk king Randy dela Pisa. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio