SWEETER the third time around  for   Rizal Technological  University.

Handled by multi-titled coach  Beaujing Acot and supported  by   RTU  president Dr.  Jesus Torres, the  Blue Thunder brought  down EARIST, 84-79,  to capture the  title in the  24th  State  Colleges  and Universities Athletic Associaiton   (SCUAA)  basketball championship for the third straight year.

The triumph enabled the Blue Thunder to complete a  rare   grandslam in  the league after also winning the title in 2010 and 2011.

Allyn  Mark Malabanan stood  at  the  helm of   the victory for the  Mandaluyong-based Blue Thunder,  finishing with a double  double of 23 points and 11 rebounds despite the swarming  defense of  their  bigger and  more-experienced  rivals.

Veteran Tristan Pagente contributed 15 points  in  his final  playing year  for the  Blue Thunder. Julian Bagares and Jopet Quiro  provided the stability  with  their able  court generalship.

“It’s really a big achievement for the  players and the team,” said Acot, who also made history by becoming the winningest coach in the league with  a  perfect 20-0  record.

“But the  all-out support of  the school management, led by Dr. Torres and  sports director Norie   Larosa, made it all possible,” added  Acot, who was also appointed as head coach of the SCUAA-NCR team which will participate in  the National SCUAA Games  scheduled in Iloilo City next month.

Acot recalled  that NCR-SCUAA was  previously  dominated  by  powerhouse basketball teams  of  Polythenic University of the   Philippines, whose line-up includes  Luis Palaganas and Bon Bon Custodio.

But  the  entry of   Acot to  RTU changed the  basketball landscape.

Bringing  his  philosopy  that defense win  games, Acot  installed a new program aimed at  polishing the defensive skills of his players.

“Most of the players who have played for us went on to  join other  top-ranked collegiate  teams in the   UAAP and  NCAA,” explained Acot, pointing to  the likes of   Robbie  Celiz and  Dennis Villamor  (now with National University),   Jessmar Sabangan and Nico  Montelibano  (now with  University of the East), Philip  Paniomogan  (now with  Jose  Rizal  University), Mark Brana  (now  with   Mapua) and Jervy Glorioso (now with   Big Chill  in the  D-League). 

“Being  a  leading state  university, RTU  also  takes pride in producing  the best athletes  possible  in sports, basketball included,” added Acot, who  is being  assisted by Albert Olaya and    Joel Lagonoy.

Acot bagged his first SCUAA title in  2010 with a line-up that included    Celiz,  Villamor, Sabangan,  Montelibano,  Paniomogan, Brana  and  Glorioso.

Also with  that winning team were Pagente,  Mark Trinidad,  and Julian  Bagares.

The following year, RTU and Acot  bagged their second title  with Bagares,  Pagente and Jericho Cruz  (now with Adamson) in  the line-up.

The Blue Thunder also dominated the  National  SCUAA held in Isabela Prov.

Acot also  attributed  the team’s success to the support of Cong.  Boyet Gonzales and Mayor Benhur Abalos of Mandaluyong,   Jean Henri Lhuillier and  Danny  Francisco   of Cebuana Lhuillier, TESDA  Secretary  Joel Villanueva, Clarence  Aytona of Skynet, Lourdes Austria,  KaloyValera and  Ernesto Victorino.