THE ARN Builders of playing coach Boy Te ripped the Cebu Vendors Credit Cooperative (CVCCO) led by team owner Fabs Abellana, 88-75, last Sunday to capture the championship of the Guadalupe Athletics Association (GAA)-2012 Christmas basketball tournament at the barangay Guadalupe Sports Complex.
Earlier, Evan Aulga Hardware routed Gigi Catering, 97-73 to lift the third place trophy.
ARN Builders led, 24-21 in the first quarter but CVCCO responded with a, 19-11 run in the second to grab a, 40-35 lead at the half. The Builders caught fire in the third period via a, 29-16 rally for a 64-56 advantage and were never in danger the rest of the way.
Rey Potot and Velben Jimenez had 13 and 12 points, respectively for the Builders while Erwin Ferrer topscored for the losing CVCCO with 13 markers.
The victory preserved ARN Builders’s unbeaten run in the tournament where it logged 15 straight victories.
Rey Potot bagged the coveted MVP award while joining him in the Mythical Five selection were Alex Cainglet, Erwin Ferrer, Bags Miñoza and Vincent Reyes. Ed Pajuay grabbed the Sportsmanship Award.
The event was made possible through the efforts of GAA Sports Committee officials especially Raul “Aulga” Sollano who was its major sponsor.
Meanwhile, the GAA 2013 Sinulog Cup will kick-off on January 27.
BOX SCORES
ARN BUILDERS (88)- Potot 13, Jimenez 12, Gacasan 12, Reyes 10, B. Gacasan 9, Ragasajo 8, T. Escuyos 6, Posadas 5, Nevets 4, R. Escuyos 4, Te 3, Enriquez 2.
CVCCO (75)- Ferrer 13, Dinampo 12, Pajuay 12, Alesna 8, Abellana 7, Nacua 4, Lawas 4, Br. Miñoza 4, Mabatid 2, Bg. Miñoza 2, Nabua 2, Francisco 2, Genon 2, Adolfo 1. /Correspondent Dale G. Rosal