Truck N’ Trail defeats Deon Motors to rule over 1st Mayor Rama Basketball Invitational

The Truck N’ Trail (TNT) Transport Services found their groove in the second half to pull away from Deon Motors and eventually pull off an 83-65 win to hoist the title in the 1st Mayor Michael Rama Basketball Invitational League 2022 on Thursday night at the Cebu City Sports Institute.It was a close game after the first two periods with Deon Motors holding a slim 39-38 lead at halftime. However, turnovers bogged down the Deon Motors’ offense and TNT took advantage, scoring repeatedly late in the third to build a 65-55 lead.Then, with Shane Menina—who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player—orchestrating the offense to perfection and TNT’s big men feasting inside, the team eventually erected a comfortable lead that went as high as 20, en route to capturing the win, the title, and the humongous P200,000 cash prize.Five players scored in double-figures for TNT led by Menina’s 15. The former Cesafi Mythical Five guard added six rebounds, three assists, and three steals.Harold Cincoflores and Ted Saga added 11 markers apiece, while Froilan Mangubat and Michael Maestre chipped in 10 points each.Kenny Rocacurva paced Deon Motors with 15 points while Lyndon Gudez produced 14. However, the team got just four from the team’s leading scorer, Enrico Llanto.Deon Motors settled for the P150,000 runner-up cash prize.Meanwhile, the ARQ Builders took home third-place honors with a 78-75 win over Fighter Fifty Wine.Vincent Minguito led ARQ’s balanced attack with 14. The team received P100,000 while Fighter Fifty nabbed P50,000.