CIGNAL fended off Centro Escolar University's late-game surge to score a 79-69 victory to complete a sweep of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup final on Thursday.
With the sweep of the best-of-three finals, Cignal became only the third team after NLEX and Phoenix to achieve a championship double in the tournament.
Cignal saw a 69-50 lead sliced to nine in the waning minutes but showed championship composure and held on for the victory at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Oping Sumalinog fired 13 points to lead the Hawkeyes, who completed the title run without Conference MVP Raymar Jose.
Fernandez also cemented his status as the winningest coach in the tournament after claiming his eighth championship.
“Coming in we got some guys who had to adjust to the system. It's really the effort of the players to win the championship,” Fermandez said.
“It's really sweet kasi pinaghirapan talaga. Sakripisyo talaga mga mga players ko."
Rod Ebondo had 20 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks, but did little for the runner ups in the final stretch.
Orlan Wamar added 11 markers.
The scores:
Cignal HD 79 - Sumalinog 13, Arboleda 13, Uyloan 11, Perkins 8, Apinan 7, Bringas 6, Raymundo 6, Villarias 5, Sara 4, Batino 4, Cahilig 2.
CEU 69 - Ebondo 20, Wamar 11, Guinitaran 9, Casiño 8, Aquino 7, Jeruta 7, Manlangit 4, Baconcon 3, Arim 0, Cruz 0, Intic 0, Saber 0, Uri 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16; 45-30; 60-48; 79-69.