By Arman Armero

DAET, Camarines Norte—Showing unbelievable cohesion and near-flawless shooting from the outside, the Sangmu University of Korea walloped Rizal Technological University, 106-85, to capture the 5th Asian University Basketball Championship crown at the Agro Sports Center here.

The Koreans, who led by only six at the turn, turned the heat in the third quarter as Lee Sung Jun drilled a trey that triggered a 12-6 run to put them comfortably on top, 61-48, with 6:36 to go before the final frame.

Ronnie Matias and Jeff Montemayor waged a lonely battle entering the third, but Ramon Litonjua even hit back-to-back treys in another short run that cut the lead to 76-36 at the end of the quarter.

But Sangmu immediately stepped on the gas entering the fourth with an 11-4 run that all but broke the spirits of the Technocrats.

Two more treys, one each from Kim Hyun Joon and Kim Sung Hsn, pushed the Koreans practically out of reach, 93-69, time down to 5:21.

It didn’t help that Matias, RTU’s most prolific scorer in the tournament, committed two unsportsmanlike fouls, sending the Koreans into the line to pile up more points en route to the lopsided win.

Lee Song Jun, voted Most Valuable Player of the week-long tournament organized by the Basketball Association of the Philippines and the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines, in cooperation with the provincial government of Camarines Norte, only had 10, along with Park Song Ryuii. But Han, named Finals MVP, had 13.

Ma Young Jin also had 13 while Joon and Hak chipped in nine points apiece.

Samuel Ignacio led the Technocrats with 20 points, while Litonjua added 15 and Matias, 16.

Despite the loss, RTU coach Loreto Tolentino said the Koreans weren’t that impregnable.

“Kaya ‘yan kasi nakita n’yo naman dikit tayo ng first half. Napaghandaan lang talaga kami ng husto, at nag-click din ang shooting nila. Besides, talagang masama rin ang nilaro ng mga players ko.”