IN A closely contested match that had fans and players on the edge of their seats, Avantrac secured a hard-fought 67-63 victory over CBM Engineering to capture the title in the Architects + Engineers 7th Corporate Cup on Sept. 14, 2024 at the University of San Carlos North Campus gym.
The game opened with a tightly contested first quarter, with Avantrac edging ahead 21-17. Both teams showed impressive defense, but Avantrac managed to pull slightly ahead by halftime, leading 37-31.
The third quarter saw CBM Engineering push back hard. Both teams traded baskets, and by the end of the quarter, the score was level at 50-50, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
As the game entered its final stretch, CBM Engineering kept the pressure on, but Avantrac remained composed. Despite CBM’s persistence, Avantrac’s defense tightened when it mattered most, allowing them to edge out the victory 67-63.
Joshua Gayotin was the driving force for Avantrac, delivering an outstanding all-around performance. He contributed 14 points, five rebounds, a steal, and a block. However, it was Noriko Benedicto who was named the Finals MVP after he scored 21 points, highlighted by five triples.
On the CBM side, Jett Latonio emerged as the go-to scorer, netting 23 points while grabbing six rebounds and notching three steals. (Contributed by Jonas N. Panerio)