LNU Dukes, champions at last
THERE’S always a first time.
The Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU) Dukes, whose best finish ever was runner-up, finally realized their dream of being champions by the winning the third and final game of the 2009 PRISAA-UCAAP Inter-Collegiate Basketball Championship on September 24 at their own turf, the LNU gym.
The Dukes, who almost captured the championship last year if not for two costly errors in the dying seconds of the game, did not allow their chance this year to slip away, winning in a convincing fashion, 115-107, against new entrants Panpacific University of North Philippines in Urdaneta City.
The Dukes, despite trailing after the first half, 44-53, got their second wind at the third quarter and orchestrated an amazing 32-2 spree that stunned their opponents.
Led by the league’s MVP, peppery guard Benjie Labatoria, with forward Michael Indoy and center Lionel Razon, the Dukes seized the lead at the third canto, 81-70, and quelled the comeback bid of PUNP at the fourth and final period to eventually win by eight points.
“We are very happy we finally won the championship after 25 tries,” said Atty. Gonzalo Duque, president of LNU.
“It’s the birthday of my late father today, Dr. Francisco Duque, Jr., the former governor of Pangasinan and former Secretary of Health, and I believe he prayed for us for this victory and so we are dedicating this victory to him,” Duque added.
LNU’s head coach Jason Viluan, for his part, said, “I knew it’s our time to win this year and we are thanking all the people who supported us, especially the Lord.”
“I will give the full credit to my boys and hopefully we can successfully defend our title next year,” Viluan added.
Five Dukes players came in double digits with Razon and Labitoria having a game high 25 points apiece. Indoy had 24 while Benjie’s younger brother Marvin and Lionel Manalo contributed 17 and 10 points, respectively.
In the losing side, Dionisio Cuaresma and Rey Gonzales had a team high 21 points each. William Navarro contributed 15 and Julius Eleazar added 13.—JAGJr.
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