436th MDG wins intramural basketball championship

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William Johnson
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The last three intramural basketball championship games have been nip-n-tuck battles with the champion winning the title by just one point.

So, when the 436th Medical Group faced the 436th Aerial Port Squadron for the championship many thought it would be a similar outcome.

That was not the case as the 436th MDG demolished the 436th APS in a 54-27 mercy-rule victory March 18, 2014, at the fitness center on Dover Air Force Base, Del.

Demarcus Rush, 436th MDG coach, said he knew the 436th APS was a tough team and in order to win the championship they needed to control all aspects of the game, which they did.

"We knew we had to come into the game ready to play," said Rush. "We played our hearts out all season long to get to this game. We wanted to come in and play our game and not let them dictate how the game was going to go on the court, and that's exactly what we did."

The game started off close as both teams went bucket-for-bucket with each other until midway through the first-half.

That's when the 436th MDG increased the pace of the game and cranked up their defense shutting down the 436th APS' key shooter, Kenny Roberts. Roberts was held to just one three-point basket in the first-half.

Roger Cabungcel, 436th MDG guard, was a key player on offense. Cabungcel's speed and ball handling was enough to tire out and frustrate the 436th APS defense.

"I saw that they were getting tired so I wanted to make it a fast game," said Cabungcel. "I started to move the ball faster and really pick up the pace of the game and that's when the momentum really started to shift our way."

The momentum that the 436th MDG carried into halftime carried over to the second half as they started the half with 12-0 run that put away the 436th APS for good.

Thomas Hill, 436th APS coach, said the 436th MDG played a great game and they were able to take advantage of their size and some of the mistakes his team was making. Despite the loss, Hill was proud of his team and gave credit to his team for the great season they had overall.

"We had a very good season and we are one of the best teams out there and we showed it," said Hill. "I couldn't be more proud of my guys. They played good, hard fought ball all season long."

Rush said his team came together as a whole the entire season. He said anyone on his team can step up and do big things at any time.

"It feels great to win the championship, that is what we came here for," Rush said. "We didn't come here to get second, we didn't come here to get third; we came here to win the championship!"