RTMM drew inspired games from Wacky Espinas and Marcos Conavas and stunned defending champion Chiang Kai Shek College, 89-75, in the 12-under division of the 4th Headstart Development Basketball League-Freego Kids Cup held recently at the SGS gym in Quezon City.
Espinas tallied 23 points, seven steals and six rebounds to help RTMM advance to the one-game final against the Philippine Elite – a 94-38 winner over Philippine Cultural College in the annual tournament backed by AXA Philippines and Duralite.
Conavas chipped in 16 points while Joaquin Battan and Yuri Duque combined for 25 points for the Denok Miranda-mentored RTMM in the event organized by Freego Sports Marketing consultant Edster Sy with Willy Chan as tournament director.
Ian Chua and Luis Barros led the Mark Herrera-mentored PH Elite with 28 and 18 points, respectively.
In the 15-U, Chiang Kai Shek and AMA set up a title clash with the Blue Dragons scoring a 76-71 win over PCC – thanks to the hot shooting of Kenji Cañete and Joshua Tolentino who finished with 21 and 19 points, respectively.
The Blue Dragons, who are hoping to extend their reign to four years, are still unbeaten after sweeping the double round elims in the 15-U.
The AMA squad, on the other hand, got 20 points from Christian Camay to beat the Letran Squires, 66-62.
