Mortaflex hoisted the coveted championship trophy in the United Architects Basketball Club (UABC) First Conference after it outlasted the Fractalis, 83-79, in the winner-take-all Game Three of the best-of-three title series last Sunday at the Cebu Eastern College gym.
The road was long and arduous for Mortaflex as it had to come back from a 13-point deficit in the third canto before coming up with some huge defensive stops in crunchtime to take the win and the title.
Ferdinand Tiro capped off his stellar showing in this competition with 27 points and 13 rebounds to secure the Most Valuable Player plum.
Mito Parba and Paul Sasan also contributed some big plays down the stretch that preserved their win.
Mortaflex razed a 41-54 deficit in the third to eventually take a 79-72 lead late in the fourth period.
But Fractalis persevered and tied the game at 79-all off two free throws by Vincent Sesbreno.
Parba shattered the deadlock with a difficult layup to give his team an 81-79 lead.
Fractalis sued for time and had a shot at tying the game but Alexander Vidal was blocked by Sasan. That led to a freethrow by Jay Radomes that pegged the score at 82-79.
On Fractalis’ next offensive, Vidal attempted a three pointer that was blocked again by Tiro. Parba sealed the deal with a freethrow.
BOX SCORES:
MORTAFLEX (83) – Tiro 27, Radomes 12, Dabon 10, Parba 10, Sasan 8, Adlawan 7, Somosot 4, Abellana 3, Tagacanao 2.
FRACTALIS (79) – Sesbreno 15, Panerio 13, Vidal 12, Bonjoc 10, Pepito 10, Badayos 8, Ong 6, Tan O. 5.
Quarterscores: 18-23 ; 35-44 ; 59-63 ; 83-79. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio