Hoops Nation Manila ICBL Season 2 Champion: Underground

THE FINALS

April 5 (Sta. Cruz Gym) - Behind the only triple double performance of the season - courtesy of Mark Mercado - Underground completed a season sweep for the second time in as many seasons in ICBL history, outlasting the Rebels 64-59.

Peejay Calonzo continued his stellar play all season long with a game high 15 points, Macmac de Ocampo added 14 markers while Mercado, who was later named finals MVP, finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and a record 12 blocks. Underground, who finished the season with an 11-0 record, defeated the Rebels for the second time this season. The first season sweep was accomplished by Jettac Basketball in ICBL Season One.

The Rebels actually got off to a good start, leading 17-12 after the opening period behind Jayfox Aplico, who scored 10 of his team high 12 points in the quarter. Underground took over the rest of the way as the newly minted champions grabbed the lead at the half, 32-31. Calonzo then scored nine of his total points in the third quarter as Underground built a double digit advantage heading into the final period, 53-41. Patrick Dy, the Rebel's leading scorer this season who was held scoreless in the first half, tried to lead a comeback by scoring seven of his eight points in the fourth, but his effort was not enough, and Underground will not be denied their place in history.

Earlier in the day, Pasay Elite bagged the third place trophy with a win over Hoopskiri by default.

Hoopskiri's Patrick Benico took home majority of the awards, winning the season's MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and an obvious spot to ICBL Season Two's Mythical Team. Joining Benico in the Mythical Five - MSE Ballers frontcourt players Alain Sazon and Paolo Fargas, Darwin Santiago of Jettac Basketball and Pasay Elite's Ryan Rosas. Named to the Mythical 2nd team - Underground's Peejay Calonzo and MacMac de Ocampo, Rebel's Patrick Dy, Mark de Luna of Swish, and Scott Rontale of the Kings.

Underground 64 - Calonzo 15, De Ocampo 14, Mercado 12, Suycano 12, Reyes 4, Mangibin 3, Alegria 2, Rivera 2.

Rebels 59 - Aplico 12, Baculpo 9, Genavia 8, Dy 8, Del Rosario 8, Agbayani 5, Nepomuceno 4, Hardman 3, Juan 2.

QS: 12-17, 32-31, 53-41, 64-59

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