Team Neco takes championship title in GBL Season Finals

With their backs against the wall, team Neco showed determination and hassle plays as they managed to score a come from behind victory over Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Lawmen, 80-78 to take the championship crown in the Season Finals of the 2013 season of the Rudimch Enterprise Government/Business League played Wednesday night at the Palau National gym.

It was a heart stopping Game Three as both team showed their shooting prowess and the ability to score and come back despite the point deficits. With the game on the line and the MOJ Lawmen leading 76-77 in the fourth quarter with 1:43 left in the clock, Neco’s Jomar Naguit scored on a lay up off a steal as they took the lead at 78-77 with 1:01 remaining in the game.

Both teams tried to score on their next possession but was not able to do so not until Bisa Demei from MOJ Lawmen was fouled and sent to the free throw line, where he split his charities and tied the game at 78-all. However, team Neco refused to send the game into a possible overtime as Bryan Smau was fouled and sank one of his free throws giving them a 79-78 breather with barely 20 ticks left in the clock.

MOJ Lawmen hurried to set up their play in the next possession but however lost the ball and had to foul Mike Guevarra, who sealed the game at 80-78. MOJ Lawmen had enough time to score on the next play with 9.6 second left but missed the opportunity that sealed the win for team Neco.

Ronaldo Magcalas topscored for team Neco with 16 points as Hico Hinoza and Guevarra chipped in 14 and 10 markers, respectively. Veteran skipper Marlon Bechab, on the other hand led the scoring fray for MOJ Lawmen with 17 as teammate Bisa Demei added 16 on the losing end.

The series went to a deciding Game Three after team Neco leveled the series beating MOJ Lawmen in Game Two via 77-58. Game One went to the Lawmen at 82-78. The series ended with a 2-1 count.

Team Neco’s headcoach Logan Ngiriou was named as the Best Coach while Hinoza was judged as the Season Finals MVP.

The tournament, which is supervised by the Palau Basketball Federation (PBF), is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free program. For more information call Topps at 488-4491. By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)




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