History made.

West Negros College pulled off a come-from-behind 56-53 victory over defending champion University of Perpetual Help Altas last night to bring home the crown of the 60th National Students Inter-Collegiate Basketball Championships at the Ibalon Centrum Recreation Gym in Legazpi City, Bicol.

The Mustangs, who not only completed an 8-game sweep to win the title, but also made a milestone by becoming the first Bacolod City-based squad that snared the national cagefest crown, arranged a championship showdown against UPH after trouncing National University, 71-61, in the semifinals Saturday. Trailing by margins of 5 to 7 points for the majority of the game, the Mustangs rallied against their Altas rivals in the final four minutes behind the twin three-point connections of Vengie Vergara that gave them their first lead of the game at 50-49.

Aside from the clutch shooting of Vergara, the Wesnecans also needed the heroics of reed thin swingman Ely Olarte who sank two crucial free throws with 10 seconds remaining in the game to seal the win for WNC.

With 16 seconds ticks left and the Mustangs leading 53-51, Olarte was fouled driving to the basket that gave him two opportunities from the free throw line where he connected on his first attempt, before missing the second. But after missing the second free throw, Olarte still managed to get the rebound that paved the way for his final free throw attempts of the game that sealed the win for WNC with the score at 56-51.

Vergara, who emerged as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, underscored his billing as he powered the Mustangs' offense with 16 points on three connections.

Backstopping Vergara were center Sunny Abaring and Olarte who poured in 15 and 14 points, respectively.

It was the second triumph of WNC over Altas in the national inter-collegiate tournament as it posted a 62-58 win over the latter during their elimination round clash.

The championship win was actually sweet revenge for West Negros as it was eliminated by UPH in the quarterfinals of the national event in Dumaguete last year.

WNC coach Elvis Atinado, who guided the Mustangs to their first national crown in the UniGames last year, said the victory was a gift from God.

"It (championship win) is an amazing gift from God. The boys really deserved to win," Atinado told the DAILY STAR.

The victory also proved that our successful championship run in the UniGames last year was no fluke, he added.

Against NU in the semis, Vergara and Olarte spearheaded the Wesnecans with 20 points each, while Sivirino Baclao contributed 14 markers.

Abaring, Stanley Tizon and Bernard Suante combined for 15 points. *CIT

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