In one of the most electrifying finishes in recent memory, the Judiciary team emerged as the champions of the Mandaue City Charter Sportsfest 2024 basketball tournament, edging out the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) with a nail-biting 84-82 victory on Oct. 26, 2024 at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.
Judiciary’s road to the title was nothing short of dramatic. Down by 11 points entering the final quarter, the team dug deep to unleash a spectacular 31-18 run, capped off by two free throws by Mark Monte with five seconds left that sealed their comeback win.
Eloy Poligrates, a former PBA standout, led the charge for Judiciary, scoring 19 points, including 13 crucial points in the fourth quarter. Monte added 11 markers.
MCPO came out of the gates strong, establishing an early 24-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. Their dominance continued through the second period, as they pushed their advantage to 47-34 at halftime.
Despite their impressive start, MCPO struggled to find offensive rhythm in the closing minutes. Missed shots and turnovers allowed Judiciary to capitalize, turning the momentum in their favor. The last possession saw MCPO with a chance to tie or win, but Judiciary’s defense held firm as time expired. (Contributed by Jonas Panerio)