The Bacoor Strikers held the Batangas City Embassy Chill Athletics to five points in the fourth quarter and prevailed, 54-49, in Game 2 on Friday to capture the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) South Division crown at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Apart from their choking defense, the Strikers also sneaked in 14 points through James Kwekuteye and Aaron Jeruta to complete their climb from a 10-point hole and forge a National Finals collision with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, the North Division champions.
Coupled with their 89-65 rout of Batangas in Game 1, the Strikers cut short the best-of-three South series en route to their first title in the 29-team regional league.
Trailing, 28-38, the Strikers moved to within 40-44 after three quarters through the efforts of Yvan Ludovice, Jammer Jamito and Jhan Mchale Nermal.
Kwekuteye, Jeruta and Jhaymo Eguilos then joined forces for 13 points against a triple by MJ Dela Virgen to push the Strikers ahead, 53-47, time down to 19 seconds.
No Striker was able to score in double figures with Aaron Jeruta earning best player honors with 7 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, most of these contributions coming in crucial moments.
