BAYUGAN City, Agusan del Sur — ARQ Builders-Adamson University crowned itself as the champion in the 2024 Mayor Kirk A. Asis Open invitational basketball tournament here Saturday.

The Falcons brought down Wengburs Apartelle and Ella Store-San Beda University, 71-63, in their winner-take-all encounter to capture the championship and the top prize of P300,000.

Mathew Montebon was again the man of the hour for the Falcons as he finished with 14 points, three rebounds and one assist as the Falcons avenged played hard enough to avenge their 64-65 setback to the Lions in the elimination round.

Montebon was later named as Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the prestigious three-day tournament hosted by Mayor Asis as part of the city’s 17th Charter Day celebrations

Mudiaga Ojarikre provided ample support with nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks for the Nash Racela-mentored Falcons, who finished third overall last year.

Emman Anabo added nine points while Matty Erolon and Justin Ignacio had seven points each.

“We’re very happy to win the title We can really see the development of our team,” said Racela.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa Bayugan because they always invite us here. Nagpapasalamat kami kina Mayor Kirk and Vice Mayor Kim, pati na kay Van (Parmis). It’s really hard for us to get to compete in big tournaments because we have a very limited budget namin compared to other UAAP schools. That’s why we really take advatange of pocket tournaments like this,” added Racela Yukien Andrada topscored with 17 points for the Yuri Escueta-mentored Red Lions, who settled for runner-up honor and P200,000.

RC Calimag added 16 points and two blocks while Menard Songcuya contributed 14 points for the Mendiola-based Red Lions.

The ARQ Builder-backed Falcons took control in the first quarter, 24-10, before San Beda cut the deficit to six, 39-45 at the end of first half.

Up 58-50 after three quarters, Adamson came through with an 8-2 run to open up a 14-point lead, 66-52 with 5:58 left in the fourth quarter.

Earlier, Arianos Construction-Emilio Aguinaldo College clinched third place by beating CESAFI champion Bustamante Construction-University of Visayas, 80-69, behind the heroics of Wilmar Oftana.

Oftana, who was named “Player of the Game”, tallied 20 points, four rebounds and one assist for the Arianos Construction-backed Generals, who pocketed P150,000.

The Generals led as much as 17 points in the game but the Green Lancers closed the gap to three points, 67-70.

But that was the closest the Lancers could get as the Generals recovered their beatings and capitalized on the Lancers’ turnovers to seal the win.

King Gurtiza added 12 points, while Tolentino and Bagay contributed 10 points apiece.

Kent Salarda finished with 18 points for the Lancers, who settled for P100,000.

Raul Gentallan and Ivorian Coast import Lass Coulibally added 17 and 15 points, respectively, for UV.

With the third-place finish, EAC bagged P150,000 while UV, the only team representing the Visayas Region, received P100,000.

Vincare Pharma-University of Perpetual Help Altas pocketed P75,000 as fifth placer.