Team Marianas, New Chang Ming in Mich Cup finals

Team Marianas and New Chang Ming secured their spots in the 2024 Michelob Ultra Cup finals after defeating their foes last Wednesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Team Marianas retained their undefeated run as they punched their ticket to the finals after they beat Bridge Capital, 81-68, in the semis.

A fly in from Oklahoma, Antoni Ogumoro took to the basketball court for the first time in a while and helped Team Marianas into the finals. He scored 7 points and his 6’5 frame allowed him to loom over Bridge Capital shooters.

Marvin Rabauliman led Team Marianas as he made like Michael Jordan’s jersey number and scored 23 points—all without a 3-pointer. Rabauliman, along with Chioni Dela Cruz and Coby Santos, set the tone for the game as they commanded the ball from the get-go.

Bridge Capital’s starting five was overpowered quickly and were behind, 15-21, at the end of the first quarter. Before the halftime break, they were down by 13 points, 26-39.

Team Marianas sealed the deal in the second half as Bridge Capital trailed behind by double digits. Dela Cruz went on to score 13 points, while Santos contributed 12.

Bridge Capital’s Matt Duenas pumped in 16 markers, while Francisco Mizutani scored 14, and Chris Sanchez put up 11 points.

Then, New Chang Ming fought against a formidable Saints team and won, 69-55.

New Chang Ming and the Saints were neck-and-neck in the first minutes of the game, but the first quarter ended in New Chang Ming’s favor by just four points, 12-8.

Both teams took turns at the basket and it was a very close game throughout until the last minutes when New Chang Ming’s Ronald Bernardo and Juan Camacho scored the crucial points needed to seal their win.

In the fourth quarter, the Saints were behind by just 8 points. Then, the 3s came in for New Chang Ming as Jeter Medina and Elmer Esdrelon went back-to-back from the outside.

Fast-break plays by Bernardo and Camacho sank in the much-needed points as they also went back-to-back and took the game by 14 points, 69-55.

Bernardo had a game-high 19 points, while Rodel Pastrana contributed 16, and Esdrelon scored 10. For the Saints, Jude Tengco, Leo Galarse, and Trevor Ogumoro all scored 11 markers.

The championship game is set for tomorrow, Saturday, June 1, 6pm at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Team Marianas 81 – Rabauliman 23, Dela Cruz 13, Santos 12, Schmidt 10, Aferson 9, Ogumoro 7, Atan 5, Lizama 2.

Bridge Capital 68 – Duenas 16, Mizutani 14, Sanchez 11, Kim 10, Richardson 9, King 8.

Scoring by quarters: 21-15, 39-26, 55-45, 81-68.

New Chang Ming 69 – Bernardo 19, Pastrana 16, Esdrelon 10, Foronda 8, Camacho 6, Devero 3, Medina 3, Baking 2, Diwa 2.

CK Saints 55 – Tengco 11, Galarse 11, Ogumoro 11, Reyes 6, Thongaram 5, Blas 4, Manibusan 4, Aughenbaugh 2, Omelau 1.

Scoring by quarters: 12-8, 24-19, 49-41, 69-55.