The Kings are Kings.
Jose Maria College solidified its reign as Davao City’s premier collegiate basketball squad after ruling the 2023 Philippine Collegiate Champions League-Escandor Cup on Thursday.
The Kings came from behind to turn back the challenge of Holy Cross of Davao Crusaders 85-79 in the finals before delirious fans that packed the Davao City Recreation Center in anticipation of a battle royale between the two evenly-matched sides. The win also meant punching a ticket to the first stage of the tough journey to the Nationals.
The next stage is the PCCL Mindanao Finals which is set on April 26-30 also at the facility that used be known as Almendras Gym, Davao’s hoops mecca.
Both the Kings and the Crusaders will make it to the Mindanao joust with third placer Rizal Memorial Colleges who caught the last bus with a 92-91 squeaker of the multi-titled University of Mindanao Wildcats.
They will go up against the best collegiate teams from Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, and General Santos for the right to be crowned Mindanao champions and a spot in the VisMin Finals where teams from Mindanao and the Visayas will battle it out for a berth in the Nationals.
Samahang Basketball ng PIlipinas regional chief Glenn Escandor awarded the trophy and medals to the champions. (NJB)
