Louie Sangalang continues to collect championships before heading to the 2023 PBA Rookie Draft.
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran bruiser powered Kuala Lumpur to an 83-72 win over San Beda University-Machateam in the final of the 2023 Sportsclick AsiaBasket International Championship, Tuesday at MABA Stadium in Malaysia.
Sangalang, who is also a three-time NCAA champion and part of PSL champion team Pampanga, tallied 10 points, eight rebounds, five blocks, and a steal to keep the crown in home turf.
Down by 22 to end the opening frame, the Aseel slowly chipped into the lead before gaining a 58-52 lead heading into the final frame.
The Aseel threatened to pull away after opening the final quarter on a 10-2 run for a 68-54 lead with 7:23 to go.
The Red Lions, however, mounted a comeback attempt especially when coach Kris Reyes gave Jalen Robinson a momentary breather, cutting the lead down to just seven, 70-63, with four and a half minutes to play.
KL eventually pulled away after going on another 10-2 run capped by dagger triples from Robinson and Sangalang for an 80-65 cushion with 1:30 remaining.
Robinson led the Aseel with 31 points, 21 rebounds, four assists, and four steals, capping a dominating performance all tournament long worthy of the Most Valuable Player award.
Wee Yong Gan contributed 23 points, one rebound, three assists, and one block for KL.
Jacob Cortez, who was also named to the First Team, led San Beda-Machateam with 19 points on five triples, five rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
Yukien Andrada and Damie Cuntapay each added 14 markers with Andrada also grabbing 11 caroms for the double-double.
In the third-place game, Harimau Malaysia weathered a late comeback from College of Saint Benilde to prevail, 93-84, in a game marred by controversy.
The Scores:
Battle for Third
Harimau Malaysia 93 – Y. Wong 26, Ting 16, Mahadevan 13, J. Wong 9, Lee 7, Liew 6, Teo 5, Kuek 3, Ong 3, Lim 3, Dee 2, Heng 0
CSB 84 – Carlos 21, Nayve 19, Corteza 13, Liwag 10, Turco 7, Oczon 6, Sumabat 3, Serrano 2, Marcos 2, Marasigan 1, Cajucom 0, Mara 0
Quarterscores: 31-9, 48-31, 72-58, 93-84
Final
Kuala Lumpur 83 – Robinson 31, Wee 23, Sangalang 10, Tan Goh 9, J. Gan 6, Soong 2, Yap 2, Kwan 0, Tan 0
San Beda-Machateam 72 – Cortez 19, Cuntapay 14, Andrada 14, Alfaro 11, Gallego 6, Puno 2, Tagle 2, Visser 2, Jopia 2, Llarena 0, Cometa 0, Royo 0
Quarterscores: 10-32, 36-46, 58-82, 83-72
