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[av_heading heading=’Titans bags NOPSSCEA caging crown ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias (CSAV) Titans captured the 2017 NOPSSCEA men’s basketball crown with a 72-64 win over University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in a do-or-die Game 3 at the STI-West Negros University gym.
Led by Junior Essakadoualla, Jeffrey Manday and Jeric Adorio, the Titans recovered from a slow start before pulling away in the second half to capture its first-ever NOPSSCEA title.
It was a seesaw battle for both teams early in the opening quarter with UNO-R slightly ahead at 10-9 but Titans countered with a run behind Essakadoualla and Manday for a 27-21 lead.
Titans struggled offensively early in the second quarter allowing UNO-R to come to within 25-27. But a barrage of conversions from Manday and Adornio allowed Titans to build a 48-35 halftime lead.
With UNO-R failing to find its shooting touch in the second half, Titans broke the game wide open with hits from Essakadoualla, Adornio and Manday to build a lead as high as 20 points.
“This championship was an answered prayer,” said Titans head coach Elvis Armado. “Credit goes to the players. They have worked hard all year long to prepare for NOPSSCEA and I am glad it paid off.”
Titans and UNO-R have split the first two matches of the championship series with the former taking the series opener, 76-62, while the latter bounced back in Game 2, 66-41./PN
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