Landry Zanjo scored 29 points including a huge second-half performance to lead the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R)/ Red House Taiwan Shabu Shabu in an 86-76 victory over Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias (CSAV)/ Silver Dragon Construction to secure the Negros Basketball Association (NBA) 2018 President’s Cup late Sunday at the Po Hang Gym of Bacolod Tay Tung High School. Zanjo was unstoppable inside the painted area—scoring 10 points each in the second and third periods as Coach Gerome Aledron’s UNO-R/ Red House Taiwan took full control of the game as Patrick Yulo, Ritcher Santillan, and Japhet Claridad provided the needed support. With the absence of Jerich Adorio due to suspension and Joseph Yoro—who was unable to play because of flue, Coach Elvis Antinado and the CSAV/ Silver Dragon had a hard time stopping the sizzling Red House Taiwan. The Silver Dragon ballers had their best chance halfway in the final period when they cut the lead to 7 points in the fourth quarter after trailing as much as 21 points in the third period. But their efforts weren’t enough to break Red House’s momentum. “Our import [Zanjo] is playing well and we just have to play better defense. And the boys did and we’re grateful to win the NBA title on its return,” Aledron said. Red House manager John Gilbor echoed Aledron’s statement after they lost to Silver Dragon in Game 2. “I reminded the players to stay focused and let go of Game 2. It was a tough game and we were happy to win this title. And we are willing to join the next NBA Tournament,” he added. Red House supporting cast — Yulo added 11 as Santillan and Claridad added 10 points each, and Catague with 8 point. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Manday hit 29 points to lead Silver Dragon in losing effort as Cameroonian reinforcement JR Essakadualla delivered 19 points while Carl Magbanua added 11 points. Named into the Mythical Five are John Nermal of ESJ/YBAC/Fyr Fyter, Erwilson Santos of ABF Supreme/Silvergraces Const., Manday of Silver Dragon, and red House’s Zanjo and Claridad –who was also named MVP. For NBA President Oscar “Dodong” Bascon, this tournament is just another beginning and expecting more tournaments in the coming months. Also gracing the finals is former Negros Slashers head coach Joe Noel. (James Toga, Negros Daily Bulletin, June 13, 2018)