Adgers captures ThreeSixty Pharmacy Cup title via 2 OTs

The Adgers Sportswear survived gigantic odds including a miraculous buzzer-beating three-pointer that nearly broke their hearts on the way to bagging the 19-under championship of the 2012 ThreeSixty Pharmacy Cup with a cardiac, 93-92 double-overtime victory yesterday over tournament favorite University of San Carlos-RDAK at the City Sports Club basketball court.

Adgers, a team comprised of players from the Cebu Institute of Technology-University, Cebu Eastern College and Don Bosco, showed their courageous will to win by beating the previously undefeated USC twice in the final round to hoist the title.

They beat the Warriors, 86-79, last Thursday to forge the rubbermatch and appeared to be well on their way to capturing the crown in regulation with a sizzling fourth period performance. They led, 75-69, after a free-throw by Allen Dimco with 12.1 seconds left.

USC though, was not done yet as Mike Rita hit a difficult three-pointer with a defender draped all over him with 4.5 seconds left to trim the deficit to three. Then, after the Warriors gained back the possession, they quickly inbounded the ball to John Saycon who launched a prayer from halfcourt that found nothing but the bottom of the net as time expired to tie the game at 75-all and send the match to overtime.

In the first overtime, the Warriors imposed their will and soared to an, 83-79 lead after a five-point binge by Anthony Romaguerra. But Adgers retaliated with two quick baskets by Cuyos and a putback by Mark Kong which gave them the lead at, 85-83, with 41.8 seconds left. USC then tied the score on Matthew Parker’s scrambling basket and the disqualifying foul of Dimco. The Warriors actually had a shot to win the game but Saycon failed to his heroics at the overtime buzzer.

The second overtime saw Adgers take control even without Dimco and Kong, who also fouled out, as John Calang tipped the ball in for a 93-91 lead with 25 ticks left. USC then got the ball to Saycon who was fouled but made just one free-throw to peg the score at 92-93. When Parker got the offensive rebound, USC set up one final play with 6.1 seconds left but Saycon turned from hero to goat as he missed the game-winning lay-up at the final buzzer.

Dimco led Adgers with 27 points while Alex Nazareno added 18. Cuyos got 15 even as Clyvin Lima-Lima chipped in 14.

Saycon paced USC with 26 markers while Parker and Romaguerra contributed 15 and 14, respectively.