When the dust settled on a tough three-game series, KFC was the team still standing.

The Filipino basketball team won its third Pinoy league title over the past four years with a 91-86 win over USANA Sunday night at F.H. Collins Secondary School.

“It’s for KFC and for the guys,” said KFC captain Wren Agapito of the victory. “We like competing with the other teams and winning as well.

“But the main thing is we are getting closer to each other in terms of relationship outside of basketball too, so it’s not just about winning.”

KFC’s Aaron Diaz had a game-high 29 points, while James Labuguen dropped 17 and John Apostol, 14.

USANA was led by Ian New’s 27 points, while JB New (14) and EJ New (12) were also in double digits.

After dropping Game 1 by a score of 89-78 Apr. 25, USANA stormed back to win Game 2 in a squeaker 99-98 on Apr. 26 to force Game 3.

The series was marked by physical gameplay and rowdy crowds of 100-plus in the bleachers.

“We were just neck-and-neck,” said Agapito. “It was really close from first quarter to fourth quarter. But defence wins games, and everybody on our team knows that we have to stop them every time they get the ball.”

Pressuring USANA guard Bryan Hermosa was also a key element of KFC’s defensive scheme. After Hermosa sunk 23 points in Game 2, Agapito said his team didn’t want him handling the ball.

Meanwhile, USANA captain Joesel Rumbaoa said a series of tough foul calls in the championship game hurt.

“We led all the way,” Rumbaoa told the Star. “It’s sad to say, but the referees did a bad call so my two key players ...

He called three fouls in one minute on EJ (New) only. ... We still led at that time by five points.

“It was a tight ball game, just like the second game. We thought we had the momentum until the fourth quarter, but I’m sad to say my two key players fouled out.”

Without JB and EJ New on the floor, USANA crumbled down the stretch. A perceived foul on a late three-point shot from point guard Ian New then went uncalled and that was the difference in the ball game, Rumbaoa said.

“KFC only led by four points at that time. If they had called that foul and my player converted all three shots, it would be a one-point game with one minute left to play,” the coach explained. “My players were very sad and upset.”

The loss marks the second straight year USANA has finished as league runner-up. Canadian Tire won the 2014 Yukon Pinoy league title.

USANA’s backcourt was led by Hermosa and Ian New, two of the core players that led the Vanier Crusaders to their fourth straight Yukon title in March. Vanier also won the senior girls and junior boys titles, while Porter Creek earned the junior girls banner.

Members of this year’s championship KFC team include: Agapito, Apostol, Diaz, Justine Camba, PJ Camba, John Patrick Figueroa, Jonel Herrera, James Labuguen, Jonathan Labuguen, Alvin Labuguen, Marcven Mabilog and Marvin Planas.

IT Care finished third in the Yukon Pinoy league, beating Air North 97-87 thanks to a game-high 21 points from Rommel Lumanog on Apr. 25.

The season will close May 16 with a three-point contest and all-star game pitting the young guns against the old guard.

The league, which began in 2007, has grown in popularity every year as more Filipinos immigrate to the Yukon seeking employment and a new life in Canada.