SHAABAA Season 29 finals feature familiar faces, championship rematches

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Familiar faces will once again take center stage as the Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) Season 29 heads into its championship round.

The finals across two divisions will feature familiar teams, with defending champions in Divisions B and C successfully booking return trips to the title series after closing out their respective semifinal assignments last Sunday at the Magis Eagles Arena in Mandaue City.

Defending Division B champion Batch 2012-Harley Davidson and reigning Division C titlist Batch 2018-CORE both wrapped up their semifinal series in Game 2 to stay on course for back-to-back championships.

Batch 2012 outlasted Batch 2013-Nest Workspaces, 75-67, to earn another shot at the crown. Awaiting them is Batch 2010-Hatch IT Solutions, which edged Batch 2004-’04 The Win, 79-76, in the other semifinal series to arrange a best-of-three championship rematch.

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Dave Wilson Yu and Julius Cadavis spearheaded Batch 2012 with dominant double-double performances. Yu tallied 18 points and 18 rebounds along with four assists, two steals, and a block, while Cadavis contributed 17 points, 15 rebounds, two assists, and a block. Adven Jess Diputado added 18 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.

Batch 2013 leaned on Fletcher Galvez, who finished with a game-high 24 points and 18 rebounds, but his efforts fell short as the Division B newcomers saw their finals bid come to an end.

Divison C results

In Division C, Batch 2018 showcased its offensive depth as five players scored in double figures in a commanding 101-75 victory over Batch 2021-FADI.

Benedict Andre Chua led the balanced attack with 22 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Patrick Wilson Yu posted a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Christian Manaytay scored 16 points. Andrew Velasco and Lyder Kent Canieso chipped in 12 points apiece.

Batch 2021 was paced by Martin Patrick Dumon with 22 points, while Rey Marcus Fuentes IV added 19 in the losing effort.

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Batch 2018 faces a finals rematch against Batch 2015-BRX which eliminated Batch 2014, 84-68, in the other semifinals pairing.

Batch 2015 had Lorenzo Otero leading them with a 23-point and 12-rebound double-double. Janjan Jaboneta also had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Chaz Cokaliong (12) and Anton Bennett Chua (11) also had double-figure performances.

Batch 2014 saw Lucky Ecarma spoiling his game-high 31 points and eight rebounds in their elimination game.

Division B semifinals

Earlier in the Division B semifinals, Batch 2010 survived Batch 2004-’04 The Win behind Gabe Branzuela’s explosive 29-point outing, which came with six assists and four rebounds. Jasper Diaz added a 22-point, 14-rebound double-double, while Charles Divinagracia contributed 14 points.

Despite the loss, Batch 2004 received double-double performances from Kylle Valmoria, who had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Ervin Lopena, who finished with 17 points and 12 boards.

Meanwhile, Division A will also feature a championship between Batch 2003-Cebu Landmasters Inc. and Batch 2001-ARQ as they advanced with semifinal victories.

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Batch 2003 defeated Batch 1996-Big Three Pizza, 66-52, behind Daryle Tan’s 15-point, 14-rebound double-double. Wilmer Rodney Ong added 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Justin Huang and Raymond Dennis Tan chipped in 11 and 16 points, respectively.

Batch 1996 was led by Andrew Po and Paulsen Uy, who scored nine points each.

In the other semifinal, Batch 2001 eliminated Batch 2000-Core Pacific, 73-59. Carlo Villarica paced the winners with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Mark Hing and Wendell Ong contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively. Joel Co led Batch 2000 with 17 points, four rebounds, three steals, and an assist.

Battle for third

Before the championship series begins, the league will stage its winner-take-all battle-for-third games on Sunday, July 12.

Batch 1996 will face Batch 2000 at 1 p.m., followed by Batch 2004 against Batch 2013 at 2:30 p.m., and Batch 2021 taking on Batch 2014 at 4 p.m.

The best-of-three finals in all three divisions will tip off on July 19.

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