ARMCO got off to a hot start and never trailed to beat Concentrix, 84-77, and take home the prestigious 2017 BPO Classics Intermediate Division basketball title.
Eventual tournament MVP Alwin Elinon scored nine of the first 11 ARMCO points as his squad went on an 11-2 run after the opening tip.
ARMCO took a 25-12 lead after the first quarter and did everything to preserve the lead, having answers for every Concentrix rally.
Elinon finished with a game-high 27 points including 12-of-16 from the charity stripe. He had 12 rebounds, five assists, five steals, and two blocks as well, displaying his all-around game when the team needed it the most.
It wasn’t just a one-man show for ARMCO. Lorenzo Jacob had 15 points and 11 rebounds, Mark Vincent Bautista tallied 14 points and 15 boards, while Klinton Bernardo chipped in 12 points off the bench to backstop Elinon.
ARMCO led by as much as 17 points although Concentrix got to as close a four points with just over two minutes left in regulation.
An and-one conversion by Christopher Catamora made it 74-70, although Bautista scored the next four points to extend the ARMCO lead. Concentrix was unable to pull closer after that point.
Dave Torregoza led the runners-up with 22 markers and 10 boards although Marc Marquez was the only other twin-digit finisher with 10 points.
