Muntinlupa upstages Pasig anew, captures Hoopla crown

There's no hometown jinx for Muntinlupa. Kevin Racal, the local bets' top gun, made sure about that. Racal knocked in 41 points to power the Muntinlupa cagers to an 82-76 triumph and clinch the championship in the inaugural staging of the Coca-Cola Hoopla before thousands of roaring fans at the Muntinlupa Sports Center. Prior to their rubber match with Pasig, Muntinlupa has beaten its rival twice, including an 86-76 triumph last Wednesday to force a winner-take-all finals match. The Muntinlupa cagers reasserted their mastery over the Pasigueños in their third and last encounter to also pocket the top prize of P250,000. The Pasigueños settled for runner-up honors and the P125,000 that goes with it. “I really prepared for this game," said Racal, an incoming senior criminology student at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa. “We really wanted to win the championship and we did it for our Muntinlupa folks." Muntinlupa coach Siegfried Levita was all praises for his players. “They worked extra hard and never let up until the end," said Levita. Pasig was looking to exact vengeance and was on the way to dealing its three-time tormentor a heartbreaking loss in front of its followers by coming back from a 26-14 deficit behind a fiery fast breaking offense to storm ahead at the half, 41-38. But a 60-minute power interruption cooled down not only the venue lights, but apparently Pasig as well, as Racal towed Muntinlupa away to victory. Coke executive JB Baylon, who initiated this project, promised bigger things next tournament. “The level of play and the support of the people made the Hoopla so special," said Baylon, board governor of the Coca-Cola Tigers in the PBA. “We're down the wire up to the last minute." "There's no way we cannot continue this next year. No way we cannot go nationwide because we have to be able to reach more talents like the kids you saw today." Multi-titled coach Joe Lipa, the tournament organizer, was elated at the success of his maiden project and was thrilled at the prospect of them going national. “I’m very happy the tournament ended with a big bang," Lipa said. “I think this will be a very good avenue and showcase for the talent and skills of our athletes and officials, and I hope it goes national because Coca-Cola can contribute a lot to the basketball development in the country." - RCJ, GMANews.TV