Duremdes: MPBL finals one of most exciting I've ever seen
Published Apr 30, 2019 12:00 am
by Waylon Galvez
The hardest part in a title showdown is closing out the series, particularly when playing on the road, coming off a heartbreaking defeat.
That’s exactly what the San Juan Knights had to go through a few days ago. But their resiliency and determination were rewarded in the end as they won their first national title recently in the MPBL.
San Juan captured the Datu Cup title with a come-from-behind 87-86 victory against the Davao Occidental Tigers in Game 5 of the Finals last Thursday in front of a packed hostile crowd at the Rizal College Memorial Gym in Davao.
MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes (center) joins victorious members of the San Juan Knights (from left) coach Randy Alcantara, team owner Jeremy Go, team manager Chris Conwi, and players John Wilson, Mike Ayonayon and Jhonard Clarito during yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Amelie Hotel in Ermita, Manila.
And all it took was a motivation from San Juan coach Randy Alcantara.
“Masakit sa amin yung talo sa Game 4 sa home court naming. Pero sabi nga ng coaches, mas masakit sa Davao kung doon kami mananalo,” bared San Juan player John Wilson during yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Amelie Hotel in Manila. “Mas masarap daw yung pinag-hihirapan, kesa sa madali.”
MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, a PBA star in his time, said that the reception from fans the title showdown and the just-concluded season got is a testament that the league is doing well.
“This is one of the most exciting finals na nakita ko ever, even nung naglalaro pa ako,” said Duremdes. “Being there watching it, iba itong nakita natin kasi you never know sino mananalo until that last shot.”
Alcantara, who, as a player, won back-to-back NCAA titles with Mapua and a Grand Slam in the defunct Philippine Basketball League with Stag Pale Pilsen, said he never doubted his players as they responded to his call after dropping a 77-66 decision in Game 4 at the Filoil Arena in San Juan which sent the series to a winner-take-all encounter.
“Napaniwala namin yung mga players na kaya manalo maski sa home court ng Davao,” said Alcantara, who attended the forum with team owner and sports patron Jeremy Go of Go For Gold.
Mike Ayonayon and Jhonard Clarito, who also graced the sports forum, were grateful for being part of the team’s historic comeback in Game 5 as the former fired 33 points, while the latter had six of his 11 points in the final 65 seconds – including the game-winning shot.
MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes (center) joins victorious members of the San Juan Knights (from left) coach Randy Alcantara, team owner Jeremy Go, team manager Chris Conwi, and players John Wilson, Mike Ayonayon and Jhonard Clarito during yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Amelie Hotel in Ermita, Manila.
And all it took was a motivation from San Juan coach Randy Alcantara.
“Masakit sa amin yung talo sa Game 4 sa home court naming. Pero sabi nga ng coaches, mas masakit sa Davao kung doon kami mananalo,” bared San Juan player John Wilson during yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Amelie Hotel in Manila. “Mas masarap daw yung pinag-hihirapan, kesa sa madali.”
MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, a PBA star in his time, said that the reception from fans the title showdown and the just-concluded season got is a testament that the league is doing well.
“This is one of the most exciting finals na nakita ko ever, even nung naglalaro pa ako,” said Duremdes. “Being there watching it, iba itong nakita natin kasi you never know sino mananalo until that last shot.”
Alcantara, who, as a player, won back-to-back NCAA titles with Mapua and a Grand Slam in the defunct Philippine Basketball League with Stag Pale Pilsen, said he never doubted his players as they responded to his call after dropping a 77-66 decision in Game 4 at the Filoil Arena in San Juan which sent the series to a winner-take-all encounter.
“Napaniwala namin yung mga players na kaya manalo maski sa home court ng Davao,” said Alcantara, who attended the forum with team owner and sports patron Jeremy Go of Go For Gold.
Mike Ayonayon and Jhonard Clarito, who also graced the sports forum, were grateful for being part of the team’s historic comeback in Game 5 as the former fired 33 points, while the latter had six of his 11 points in the final 65 seconds – including the game-winning shot.