Hello Panda Snackies captured the APCRAA Basketball Tournament Season X Elite Division championship in dramatic fashion, edging Senlo Tirlens OGs, 72-70, in a thrilling Game 3 of the best-of-three Finals on Saturday, August 15, at the APC Gymnasium.
The championship series had already produced two closely contested games. Senlo Tirlens OGs won Game 1, 74-70 last August 1, before Hello Panda answered with an 86-76 victory in Game 2 on August 8 to force a winner-take-all finale.
Game 3 provided a fitting climax.
OGs took control early, leading 21-18 after the opening quarter, before the teams entered halftime tied at 33-all. Senlo Tirlens OGs regained the lead after three quarters, 53-52, and held a 70-67 advantage late in the fourth quarter.
Then Hello Panda produced two clutch plays that decided the championship.
With only 13 seconds remaining and Hello Panda trailing by three, Daniel Oamil knocked down a baseline three-point shot to tie the game at 70-all, keeping his team’s championship hopes alive.
OGs then had a chance to respond, but Hello Panda forced a backcourt violation turnover.
With the clock winding down, Brix Estabillo delivered the decisive basket at the buzzer, sending the ball through the hoop as time expired and giving Hello Panda a stunning 72-70 victory.
The game-winning basket sparked an immediate celebration as the Snackies completed the comeback and secured the Season X Elite Division crown.
The Season MVP led the Snackies with 22 points and was named Finals MVP.
Oamil finished with eight points, but his late three-pointer proved to be one of the defining moments of the championship game. Hello Panda also got 14 points from Guess Dela Cuesta, 12 from Alex Tagle and 10 from Norman Ringor.
Adding to Hello Panda’s historic night, Archie Gratil and Guess Dela Cuesta each won their sixth championship, further cementing their places in APCRAA Basketball Tournament history. Both pioneer players have now collected the most individual championships in league history, making the Season X title another milestone in their decorated careers.
OGs was led by Genesis Reyes, who scored 18 points, while Ralph Artigas contributed 12. Kurt Soloria added eight, with JP Redelick and Geoff Guevarra scoring seven apiece.
The game also featured an unfortunate injury early in the contest. Senlo Tirlens OGs guard Sean Montemayor suffered an ACL injury at the 2:20 mark of the first quarter following a collision with Oamil and was subsequently taken out of the game.
For Hello Panda, the championship was the team’s fourth title since joining the league in the 2015 2nd Conference. It was also their first championship since Season 7 in 2023, ending a title drought that lasted through the intervening seasons.
The victory further highlighted Hello Panda’s remarkable consistency in the APCRAA Basketball Tournament. The Season X Finals marked the team’s sixth consecutive Finals appearance, dating back to Season 5 in 2019.
THE SCORES:
HELLO PANDA SNACKIES (72): Estabillo 22, Dela Cuesta 14, Tagle 12, Ringor 10, Oamil 8, Gratil 4, Canseco 2, Castañares 0, Atre 0, De Guzman 0, Goria 0, Reyes 0, Belardo 0, Nartia 0, Amurao 0, San Diego 0
SENLO TIRLENS OGS (70): Reyes 18, Artigas 12, Soloria 8, Redelick 7, Guevarra 7, Galido 6, Vizconde 6, Tangi 3, A-ag 2, Hernando 1, Agito 0, Villamena 0, Montemayor 0, Timbre 0, Pitallar 0
REFEREES: J. Lesigues, G. Alap, E. Escaros
QUARTERSCORES: 18-21, 15-15, 19-20, 20-14
FIBA LIVESTATS: https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/APC/2879460/