Davao City – Holy Trinity College Wildcats came back from a bad start to overtake Holy Cross College in overtime, 92-91, to become the Mindanao leg champions at the Almendras Gym.
Holy Cross was off to a hot start with Mark Francisco and Patrick Quitado scoring 17 of the team’s 32 first quarter points and led by 11 by the end of the period.
The Wildcats turned the defense up in the second quarter to hold their opponents to just 14 points but Crusaders still lead 46-39.
Continuing to claw their way into the lead, Wildcats still limiting the Crusaders with their defense and manages to close in within 4 points heading to the final quarter.
Louie Omalde of the Wildcats came in the clutch with 9 fourth quarter points and Joseph Diamante provided the adding scoring punch as they force the game to overtime.
Diamante battled Ian Kit de la Cruz of the Crusaders in the extra period as both players carried the scoring load for both teams but Wildcats came up in the clutch to seal the victory.
Wildcats’ Diamante finished the game with 31 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals while Omalde had 19 points, 8 assists, and 4 steals. Everby Dialogo had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
On a great effort, Jayston Oquias of the Crusaders flirted with a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists. Ian Kit de la Cruz led the team in scoring with 17 points.
Holy Trinity now earns the right to represent Mindanao in February at the Philippine Collegiate Champions League to be held in Manila.
Southern Luzon champions Naga College Foundation will be in action this November 30 when they battle the Northern Luzon champions which will be determined on November 29.
The scores:
HTC Wildcats (92) – Diamante 31, Omalde 19, Cosip 12, Dialogo 10, Poral 9, Bacasio 4, Akad 3, Cortez 2, Salas 2, Garcia 0.
HCC Crusaders (91) – De La Cruz 17, Galdo 16, Quitado 13, Oquias 12, Francisco 11, Linares 9, Gutierrez 6, Gudes 4, Yap 3, Quiabang 0.
Quarterscores: 21-32, 39-46, 59-63, 79-79, 92-91.