IDC, USA, All Set for Do-Or-Die ILOPRISAA Men’s Hoops Finale

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

For all the marbles, we will be having a Game 3.

After the University of San Agustin Golden Eagles drew first blood in a thrilling double overtime affair to take Game 1, the Iloilo Doctor’s College struck back, refusing to go home and forced a win or go home Game 3.

Just like what the Ilonggo basketball enthusiasts wanted it to play out, the 2025 ILOPRISAA Men’s Tertiary Basketball grand finals is not yet over and will be staging a highly-anticipated rubber match today, to be held at the University of San Agustin Gym in Iloilo City.

So far, the grand finals series lived up to its hype.

Too many back-and-forth actions, chess matches between two talented coaching staff and a pool of players that are hungry to deliver the golden trophy to their school.

Both schools are already longing to end their ILOPRISAA drought, as the collegiate scene was dominated by the Central Philippine University (CPU) and the Western Institute of Technology (WIT).

Last year, the revamped Golden Eagles had the chance to dethrone the CPU Golden Lions but the defending champs proved to be too much and overpowered their way to the tournament.

On the other hand, this is the first trip back to the finals again by IDC after consecutive years of heartbreaks and frustrations.

It’s a fitting storyline for an intense grand finale, indeed.

San Agustin rang the winner’s bell first after stunning the Medics in Game 1, showing that they had enough gas left in the tank to finish the double OT game in style.

Erjohn Hermogino was the catalyst during that Game 1 win as the versatile swingman went unconscious from the field and torched IDC with his inside-outside scoring efficiency.

Aside from Hermogino, Philip John Brazileño and Axl Tupas also drained huge buckets that answered every IDC basket from the get-go.

Moments after the Game 1 loss, the Medics immediately pressed the emergency button, knowing that they were in a must-win situation to keep their ILOPRISAA title hopes alive.

Boosted by the loud cheers from their peers and the IDC community, the Medics roared back in Game 2 and quickly established a double-digit lead at the end of the half.

However, the Golden Eagles completed a comeback for the ages when they evaporated IDC’s 14-point lead, courtesy of Dan Mondia’s three straight treys.

Just when San Agustin thought that they already grasped the momentum, the resilient IDC squad didn’t fold under the pressure and showed poise, forcing tons of turnovers that turned into freebie fast break points to re-establish their footing in Game 2.

Unfortunately for San Agustin, their fourth-quarter performance got clouded by their unforced errors and turnovers, paving the way for the Medics to set-up a deciding Game 3 rubber match.

Both schools reeling to get to the top.

Who will prevail and complete their mission to be hailed as this year’s ILOPRISAA kings?

Will San Agustin’s wings continue to soar?

Or will Iloilo Doctor’s healing hands prevent them from flying high?