CAMSUR Express bagged a first-ever championship in the National Basketball League-Pilipinas (NBL) after beating Tikas Kapampangan, 84-82, last Saturday night in a thrilling Game 5 of the President's Cup Finals at the Pampanga State University Gym in Bacolor.
Jerome Almario broke a 79-79 tie with a three-pointer with 1:17 left and the celebration ensued for Camsur in the away game after Lhancer Khan and Genmar Bragais missed on their attempts in the final possession.
Express end nearly-men days
The Express, a founding members of the league since 2018, ended years of heartbreak that included two runner-up finishes to the Taguig Generals in the 2023 President's Cup and 2024 Governors' Cup.
Camsur got a boost from Almario, who returned in Game 5 after tearing his MCL in his right knee in Game 2.
“I'm out of words pero thankful lang kami kay Almighty God kasi binigay niya sa amin lahat, lalo na ang mga players. They have so many sacrifices. Injured si Almario pero talagang nagpumilit siya maglaro. Gusto niyang maipanalo ito. And of course, the coaching staff, they did well,” said Camsur coach Momo Molto.
Verman Magpantay was later named the Finals MVP for his consistent showing during the series including a team-high 17 points in Game 5.
Almario added 16 points, six rebounds, and seven assists, and Medwin Ariate added 16 points and seven assists.
Camsur reached the finals after stunning five-time champions Taguig Generals in the semifinals, winning the last two games of the best-of-three series thanks to a game-winning three by Ariate in the knockout match.
The Express also trailed the series, 2-1, after a 92-91 loss to Tikas Kapampangan in Game 3, at the Iriga Sports Complex, but tied the series with a hard-fought 115-114 overtime to send the series back to Pampanga for the sudden-death game.
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