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The former Eagles of Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod soared high and beat Department of Public Works and Highways, 91-82, Saturday to sweep the best-of-3 final series in Game 2 of the 2009 NBA Governor's Cup Division II at Bacolod Tay Tung High School Po Hang gym.
Liga Pilipinas veterans Jhornel Laborte and Joemel Garrido controlled the boards, Johnson Salazar found his range from the arc and the tiny duo of Peewee Demonteverde and Mamerto Santillan were too pesky for DPWH to handle.
Coach Oca Aquino's San Ag alumni, who came in late for the game, made their presence felt in the first quarter with Laborte hitting his mark for a 13-5 San Ag lead.
Coach Vernie Villarias's boys managed to close the gap with twin jumpers from Pato Ramos but Demonteverde and Salazar provided the spark to take the first quarter, 30-19.
Sarian Ordas hit six points in succession but DPWH still trailed 32-37. A Demonteverde three-pointer off Bobot Divinagracia gave the Eagles a 46-36 advantage at halftime.
Poor free throw shooting and individual plays spelled the doom for the Highwaymen, who trailed 59-68 in the third quarter, despite Boy Balbarada scored a buzzer-beating layup.
DPWH caught fire as Balbarada, Divinagracia and Rex Bayer combined for a 7-0 run capped by Bayer's steal and a layup off Demonteverde, to trail 72-76 with 4:36 left in the final quarter.
That was the most DPWH could offer as the Eagles maintained their five-point lead as Laborte, Garrido, Salazar and Demonteverde were consistent with their free throws and scoring on mismatches.
With the win, San Ag overcame the odds finishing fourth in the elimination and beating No. 1 Cadiz City Whales twice in the semifinal.
Second running DPWH never gave third running La Carlota City a second chance in their semis bout but lost Game 1 of the final by one point in overtime.*NAB
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