Taguig defeated La Union, 94-92, and won the National Basketball League-Pilipinas (NBL) Chairman’s Cup via a two-game sweep last Saturday at the San Juan gym in La Union.
The Generals overcame a 20-point deficit on the road to nail their second championship in the regional league for homegrown talents since 2019.
Taguig took Game 1 of the best-of-three finals series, 113-108, at the Hagonoy Sports Complex.
Mike Sampurna produced 19 points, five rebounds and three assists on his way to winning the Finals MVP as he sparked the Generals’ mighty comeback after they trailed 57-37 early in the third quarter.
Jonats Lontoc added 14 points, and Fidel Castro had 12 points including two triples during the Generals rally that also saw their second stringers stepping up by combining for 45 points.
Noel Santos had 11 points including the go-ahead lay-up with 32.8 seconds to bring Taguig’s lead to 93-92 which the ballclub maintained until the final buzzer. Santos completed a doube-double with 12 rebounds.
“It’s long overdue,” said coach Bing Victoria. “Tagal naming pinaghirapan. Sinuklian ng nasa Taas yung paghihirap namin. We don’t have holidays. Tinrabaho talaga namin ito. Christmas, New Year, walang off. Sobrang thankful ako na nagbunga ‘yung pinaghirapan namin.”
This marks La Union’s third runner up finish in the league.
Erven Silverie paced La Union with 20 points, while Jap Pambid, who won the MVP award, had 18.
Pambid also led the Mythical Five selection along with teammates Silverie and Billy Boado, Dan Natividad of Taguig, and RV Jumaquio of Bulacan. Christian Necio of Bulacan claimed the Sportsmanship Award.
