From outsiders to champions.

The BBC dribblers completed this transformation Sunday night when they downed Talisay Basketball Athletic Club, 100-91, to clinch the 6th Tan Kek Pin Cup at the Po Hang Gym of Bacolod Tay Tung High School.

Pushed to the brink of elimination after a 93-75 loss to New ST Marketing Monday last week, the West Negros College-based squad came out with renewed confidence and played like a well-oiled machine to sweep the next four games en route to their first TKP crown. After missing the game against New ST, Robert Buñol --- the Immuvit Most Valuable Player of the tournament --- was virtually unstoppable in leading BBC to the top.

While BBC employed a defensive net that silenced Talisay in the final minute, Buñol came through with the critical baskets to highlight his 18-point output.

"This is a product of our teamwork," BBC standout Norman Fegidero told the DAILY STAR.

After a Eugene Yap trey --- that placed Talisay ahead, 91-90, --- looked to have earned a foul that was not called with barely a minute left, Talisay ran out of steam and Buñol translated a crucial turnover to three points, following another steal that netted Bobot Divingracia an easy lay-up.

With the count tied at 75, BBC unleashed a 9-0 assault as Rico Cabatu's two triples sandwiched a Buñol undergoal incursion, before Talisay rallied behind Nonoy Hugnatan Yap to create an 86-all standoff with three minutes remaining.

Mythical Five selection Joebert Pastias was held to 2 points but a balanced offense keyed BBC's win with all 15 players fielded in scoring one point or more.

Divinagracia, the Immuvit player of the game, finished with 13 points, while Cabatu and Allan Jaena chipped in 12 each. Roberto Duran made 6 points and Speedy Julian, Barry Uytiepo, Jack Tumayan and Eric Deloria contributed 4 each.

Philip Abong, Archie Sorallo, Pastias, Fegidero and Boknoy Poja also combined for 15 points as BBC, also the titlist in the recent Probac tournament, followed up its 95-78 Game 1 triumph Saturday night. Completing the BBC line-up are Anthony Carlo Agustin, Nomer Virgo and Elvis Atinado.

BBC opened with a 12-0 run in the second quarter but TBAC responded with a 12-3 uprising, before Sorallo hit a triple and Buñol, who later limped after a loose ball scramble, made 4 points, paving the way for a 51-42 halftime lead.

Moving the ball exceptionally well, the Talisay cagers hit their stride in the third period as outside gunners Oca Aquino and Yap. Edgar Junto and Bandoy Aliermo also made their presence felt to help Talisay establish a slim 71-70 lead heading into the final period.

Jude Bawiin paced Talisay with 12 points, while Yap finished with 11. Tonton Belecina and Bandoy Aliermo had 10 each, while Nonoy Hugnatan picked up 8 points.

The Immuvit Mythical Five was awarded after the championship game with Glenn "Peewee" Demonterde of third placer New ST Marketing, Hugnatan and Junto also making it to the elite list along with Buñol and Pastias.

Comprising the second team are Salvador Bonza and Jessimar Gabihan of Summit/AMG Pawnshop, Tommy Andren of Buddy's, Kirk Tupas of Probac and Warren Alintano of Magnolia Nutri-oil.

Organized by the Fil-Sino Athletic Club headed by Joaquin Gochangco, the tournament was sponsored by Andrew Tan in honor of his late father, Tan Kek Pin, a sports patron. *CPT

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