TAGUIG captured its second straight NBL-Pilipinas President’s Cup title, edging KBA Luid Kapampangan, 88-87, in Game Three on Friday at the Jun Duenas Gymnasium.
The Generals survived after nearly squandering a 25-point fourth-quarter lead to hold on to the lead and complete a sweep of the best-of-five finals series behind their home fans.
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Calvin Suing buried a putback for Luid Kapampangan in the final possession of the game, but was waved off after it was determined that the shot was after the buzzer upon review of the play.
Mark Ordonez had 19 points, while Edziel Galoy chipped in 12 points for Taguig. Mike Sampurna added 11 points on his way to winning the Finals MVP.
Jonathan Lontoc tallied 11 points, and LJ Mayo added nine points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks for Taguig.
The Generals built an 83-58 lead in the fourth quarter on their way to claiming their second consecutive title after ruling the 2022 Chairman’s Cup in their sweep of La Union in the best-of-three finals series.
It is also Taguig's third title overall after taking the Season Two championship over Pampanga Delta.
Lhancer Khan, who won the MVP of the President’s Cup, had 22 points and 10 assists for Luid Kampampangan, whose late comeback fell short.
Taguig grabbed the series opener last September 22, 92-74, at the Jun Duenas Gym, and also won on the road last September 24, 108-90, at the Colegio De Sebastian Gym in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Khan, Sampurna, Mayo, Verman Magpantay of Camsur Express, and Raymart Amil of Tatak Gel Binan were the Mythical Five winners of the tournament.
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