NEW Changming Market ended the 2025 IT&E-United Filipino Organization as the open division champion after outlasting Priority Care, 84-80, in the title game at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium on Sunday.
The game opened with Priority Care setting the tone early, as Steve King got on the scoreboard with a triple, followed by two more from Airson Atan, prompting Changming to call a timeout.
Changming responded with an offensive surge led by Coby Santos, who found his rhythm quickly and punished defenders with long-range shots, racking up 20 points in the first half. But Priority Care kept pace through strong team play, with Atan, Chioni Dela Cruz, and Marvin Rabauliman leading a counterattack that brought them within a single possession by halftime, trailing 44–43.
The back-and-forth battle continued through the second half.
Priority Care’s Dela Cruz picked up where he left off, launching a barrage of three-pointers to keep the game within reach, even tying the score at one point.
But Changming’s Keith Santos rose to the occasion, pouring in 23 points — including three triples — to keep his team ahead.
In the final minutes, Priority Care’s Marvin Rabauliman hit back-to-back buckets, followed by a clutch three-pointer from Steve King to close the gap.
However, Changming answered with a timely put-back and a dagger three from Keith Santos to maintain a two-possession lead and seal the 84-80 victory — claiming the open division championship.
Scores:
New Changming Market 84 – Keith Santos 28, Coby Santos 25, Rodel Pastrana 8, Kristian David 6, Mii Tekopua 5, Cris Diwa 5, Sean Apasan 4, Kelvin Fitial 2
Priority Care 80 – Airson Atan 21, Chioni Dela Cruz 21, Steve King 13, Marvin Rabauliman 12, Francisco Mizutani 4, Tony Kim 4, Emmanuel Bondad 2
New Changming Market players pose with the open division trophy of the 2025 IT&E-United Filipino Organization Basketball League along with UFO officers during the awards ceremony at the Ada gym on Saturday.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
Priority Care’s Chioni Dela Cruz takes the contested three-point shot during the championship game against New Changming Market in the open division of the 2025 IT&E-United Filipino Organization Basketball League at the Ada gym on Saturday.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
New Changming Market’s Coby Santos takes the off-balanced shot during a championship game against Priority Care in the open division of the 2025 IT&E-United Filipino Organization Basketball League at the Ada gym on Saturday.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
