Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Toyota Balintawak downs Montaña Davao, 97-95

Games on January 31 – New Cebu Coliseum
4:30PM Battle for Third Place
6:00PM Championship

CEBU CITY – Teams from Metro Manila’s Philippine Basketball League (PBL) survived their respective bruising knockout matches Tuesday and advance to the crossover semifinals of the 2008 M. Lhuillier Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Sinulog Cup at the New Cebu Coliseum.

The Pharex Medics routed Hotel Fortuna-Boljoon, 107-79, while the Toyota-Balintawak Road Kings tripped Montaña Pawnshop-Davao in the nightcap, 97-95. The Medics will face defending champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City while the Road Kings drew Fifth Avenue Telecoms in the semifinals being completed last night at press time.

Guard Pocholo Villanueva essayed a superb performance down the stretch to lift the Road Kings of Coach Ariel Vanguardia. Villanueva intercepted the ball and was promptly fouled with nine seconds to play, sinking both freebies to push the Road Kings further ahead, 95-91. Roland Lamocha scored on a follow-up of a Marvin Poloyapoy missed triple to threaten for the last time, 93-95. In the ensuing sequence, Villanueva drew a foul from Poloyapoy and then iced the game with two more charities and four ticks remaining, 97-93. Rocky Clavel settled the final score with a lay-up at the buzzer.

The good game was marred by a bench-clearing rumble with 3:01 left in the third quarter and the Road Kings comfortably on top, 68-54. Jonathan Aldave and Ryan Abañes wrestled position while waiting for a rebound play resulting in both guards falling to the floor, triggering the melee. Timely intervention by MVBA officials prevented the incident from blowing up any further. Aldave and Abañes were immediately thrown out from the game.

Fired up, Montaña of Armando Quibod and Coach Nic Serafica rallied and seized the lead on a reverse lay-up by Michael Manigo with 2:50 left in the final canto, 86-85. Their celebration was short-lived as Frederick Rodriguez restored the lead to the Road Kings and Villanueva stole the inbound pass en route to an easy lay-up for an 89-86 advantage. In ensuing lull, Henry Fernandez was slapped with a technical foul for elbowing Villanueva during the earlier sequence, sending him to the foul line for two more free throws, 91-86, and 2:11 to play.

Villanueva led the Road Kings with 17 points, 12 coming in the crucial fourth quarter. Bryan Faundo followed with 11. Lamocha paced Montaña with 22 points while Clavel added 11.

The first game also had its share of action. With 4:53 to go in the second period, Randy Sevilla bit into a fake by Jam Alfad, resulting in Sevilla planting an elbow that opened a cut on the Pharex enforcer’s head. Alfad reacted by pushing Sevilla, prompting both referees to slap disqualifying fouls on the two. The Medics of Coach Carlo Tan were on top, 37-23. As both teams were exiting towards their dugouts for the halftime break, Alfad rushed to Sevilla. Luckily for both, Pharex and MVBA officials quickly restrained Alfad.

The Medics blew the game wide open in the third quarter, erecting their first 20-point margin, 65-45, on back-to-back baskets by Sean Co. Hotel Fortuna coach Elmer Cabahug then turned to Restycel Getubig and 6’11” Gregory Slaughter to keep their side in contention.

Slaughter opened the fourth quarter with a three-point play that put Hotel Fortuna at its closest, 64-74. However, the Medics countered with a 13-0 blast that delivered the knockout blow, 87-64, and still 6:30 on the clock.

Richard Ian Saladaga paced Pharex with 20 markers followed by Ronnie Matias with 13. Getubig, a Cagayan de Oro Rapid during the MVBA’s maiden season, led Hotel Fortuna with 21 while Slaughter knocked in 14.

How They Scored:

PHAREX (107) – Saladaga 20, Matias 13, Gerilla 12, Co 12, de Guzman 11, Alfad 10, Oreta 10, Bulawan 9, Villamin 7, Bughao 3.

HOTEL FORTUNA-BOLJOON (79) – Getubig 21, Slaughter 14, Berame 12, Lanete 9, Sevilla 6, Diputado 5, Lao 4, Paglinawan 2, Dennison 2, Nicanor 2, Sendrijas 2, Luga 0, Cincoflores 0.

Period Scores: 26-16, 47-35, 74-61, 107-79.
* * *
TOYOTA-BALINTAWAK (97) – Villanueva 17, Faundo 11, Cabahug 10, Santa Maria 9, Ortiguerra 8, Balgos 8, Rodriguez 8, Sena 6, Hayes 5, Dedicatoria 5, Guerrero 5, Jaime 3, Aldave 2, Tan 0, Retaga 0.

MONTAÑA-DAVAO (95) – Lamocha 20, Clavel 15, Fernandez 14, Abañes 8, Santa Cruz 8, Dawal 7, Quibod 6, Guiyab 5, Poloyapoy 3, Braga 3, Manigo 2, Jawod 2, Ayson 0, Endrinal 0.

Period Scores: 23-24, 52-40, 72-63, 97-95.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Montaña Davao bows to MLKP Cebu, 107-116

Games on January 30 – New Cebu Coliseum (Semifinal Round)
4:30PM M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City vs. Hotel Fortuna-Boljoon/Pharex Medics
6:00PM Fifth Avenue Telecoms vs. Montaña Pawnshop-Davao/Toyota-Balintawak

CEBU CITY –Both games needed an extra period in the thrilling second day of the M. Lhuillier Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Sinulog Cup Monday night at the New Cebu Coliseum.

In the first game, defending champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City leaned the heroics of Dale Singson to whip Montaña Pawnshop-Davao, 116-107. In the second game, it was the turn of Ferdinand Go to bail out Fifth Avenue Telecoms and beat Hotel Fortuna-Boljoon, 103-99.

Monday’s winners remained undefeated in two games and thus earned automatic seats in today’s crossover semifinals of the tournaments sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP).

Singson hit a booming triple with six seconds to play in regulation that tied the count at 100-100. In the extension, Singson sizzled with five markers and Marlon Basco shot steadily from the foul line and completed a three-point play off Harold Santa Cruz with 1:28 remaining for an unassailable 113-107 M. Lhuillier advantage.

M. Lhuillier of Michel Lhuillier and Coach Raul Alcoseba actually rallied from five points down with 37 seconds left in regulation. Former M. Lhuillier stalwart Michael Manigo canned two free throws off Bruce Dacia for a 100-95 tally. Singson quickly scored a basket to threaten, 97-100, and the Jewelers immediately sent Montaña center Arden Guiyab to the stripe at the 14-second mark. Guiyab bungled both shots to set the stage for Singson’s game-tying triple.

Basco and Dacia shared scoring honors for M. Lhuillier with 24 points each. Henry Fernandez powered Montaña of Armando Quibod and Coach Nic Serafica with 32 points while Ryan Abañes was the only other player in double figures with 15.

In the second game, Go nearly turned goat as he missed a free throw with 22 ticks left in regulation to keep Fifth Avenue ahead, 89-86. In the ensuing sequence, Morsie Akad converted a triple at the 10-second mark to send the game into overtime, 89-89.

In the overtime, the Hotel Fortuna quintet of Coach Elmer Cabahug opened with an 8-0 run. However, Fifth Avenue countered with a 9-0 run of their own capped by Go redeeming himself with a triple that pushed his side on top for, 100-97, and 28 seconds left.

Hotel Fortuna did not give up, with Von Harry Lanete threatening with two charities off Jeff Sanders, 99-100. Chris Diputado then fouled Mark Yee at the nine-second mark and the gamble paid off as Yee split his gift shots, 101-99. Collaring the defensive rebound and a golden chance to tie or go ahead, Hotel Fortuna issued a wild pass that sailed out of bounds. Yee was again fouled and this time made both free throws for the final count.

Yee and Sanders topped Fifth Avenue of Mike Dullas and playing coach Junel Mendiola with 18 points each. Akad paced Hotel Fortuna with 20 markers followed by Rino Berame with 19 points and 11 rebounds. The game also marked the commercial league debut of 6’11” Gregory Slaughter, who was part of the starting five and finished with four points.

How They Scored:

M. LHUILLIER-CEBU (116) – Basco 24, Dacia 24, Enriquez 14, Singson 14, Capati 13, Padilla 12, Cavan 8, Bat-og 3, Llanto 2, Aying 2.

MONTAÑA-DAVAO (107) – Fernandez 32, Abañes 15, Clavel 9, Poloyapoy 8, Ayson 8, Lamocha 8, Santa Cruz 7, Guiyab 6, Quibod 5, Manigo 4, Braga 3, Jawod 2, Dawal 0.

Period Scores: 26-25, 52-43, 71-68, 100-100 (reg.), 116-107 (OT).
* * *
FIFTH AVENUE (103) – Yee 18, Sanders 18, Go 13, Malabanan 13, Vergara 12, Salangsang 10, Lim 5, Labagala 4, David 3, Zagala 2, Moody 2, Litonjua 2, Buenaventura 1.

HOTEL FORTUNA-BOLJOON (99) – Akad 20, Berame 19, Sevilla 15, Dennison 14, Diputado 14, Lanete 4, Slaughter 4, Sendrijas 4, Lao 3, Luga 2, Paglinawan 0, Cincoflores 0, Getubig 0.

Period Scores: 22-19, 44-44, 67-67, 89-89 (reg.), 103-99 (OT).(Anthony Servinio)

Brokenshire five defeats Ateneo, 69-58

Brokenshire College relied on speed to defeat Ateneo de Davao University, 69-58 in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Davao City Women's Basketball Eliminations, Sunday, at the University of Mindanao Matina Campus.

Cindy Cajegas orchestrated the win for the Leopards by engineering the plays from the start to the finish.

The Lady Blue Knights have to rely on Cielito Solon who in many occasions find herself well guarded by the Leopards.

The Annie Manaay-coached Brokenshire built a 20-point lead, 56-36 in the third quarter and the Cholo Elegino-mentored Lady Blue Knights tried to get back, 63-53, 2:48 left in the fourth quarter but time was not on their side for thei second setback.

Rizal Memorial College Lady Wildcats, on the other hand, ripped the Davao Doctor's College, 75-54 while University of the Immaculate Conception men stopped STI College, 81-53.

Games will resume on February 2 at the Rizal Memorial Colleges gym, according to PRISAA Davao Executive Director Joaquin Sarabia.

The Davao City winner will advance to the Regional Meet in March against teams from Davao Province, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental

Friday, January 25, 2008

Australian Sports Ambassadors win over Davao City Mayor's Office



City Sports Coordinator Bong Go of the City Mayor’s Office eludes Danny Cook of the Australian Sports Ambassadors, Thursday night at the Davao City Recreation Center. The visitors won, 95-63.DAVAO SPORTSWRITERS ASSOCIATION



The City Mayor’s Office team presents souvenir items to the visiting Australian Sports Ambassadors from Perth after their exhibition game at the Davao City Recreation Center. The Australians won, 95-63.DAVAO SPORTSWRITERS ASSOCIATION


Aussies complete goodwill games with 95-63 victory over CMO five

The Australian Sports Ambassadors completed their series of goodwill games in Mindanao with a 95-63 win over the Davao City Mayor's Office, Thursday night, at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Joshua Manthe, Mark and Paul Beacham unloaded the big guns combining for 65 of the 95 points.

City Sports Coordinator Christopher "Bong" Go led CMO with 22 points and Eliezer Berami added 17 but their teammates could not come up with the needed scores to catch up with the
Australians.

The Australians played a series of exhibition games in Manila, Bukidnon Province and Davao City, conducted bible studies and helped in community work.

The visitors took a break at the Paradise Beach Resort in Samal Island on Friday before flying back to Manila.

The scores:

Australian Sports Ambassadors (95)- Beacham 28, Manthe 23, Cook 17, Beacham 14, Beacham 6, Cabunkal 3, Potts, Taylor 2.

City Mayor's Office (63)- Go 22, Berami 17, Gonzaga 9, Mondigo 8, Josol 2, Bangkas 2, Bonleon 2, Pastor 1.
Scores per quarter: 21-11, 23-21, 27-16, 24-15.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

National Basketball Training Center's presentation of 40 players of its program


BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Patrick Gregorio talks to the 40 players who passed the Mindanao tryouts for the National Basketball Training Center.(DAVAO SPORTSWRITERS ASSOCIATION)




BAP-SBP officials led by Executive Director Patrick Gregorio and Southern Mindanao Director Regino "Boy" Cua pose for posterity, Sunday at the Bistro Rosario, with the young players during the National Basketball Training Center presentation.(DAVAO SPORTSWRITERS ASSOCIATION)

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

4 games set for Aussie visit in Davao City on Wednesday

THE AUSTRALIAN SPORTS AMBASSADORS BASKETBALL TEAM FROM PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA (WA) will arrive today from Northern Mindanao for a series of exhibition games starting Wednesday and Thursday(January 23-24).

The Aussies played 14 games in Bukidnon Province winning each game. One of the highlights was playing against the Northern Mindanao champion Bukidnon State University. The Aussie trounced BSU, 79-58.

The objective of this visit is to conduct some friendship games against local teams, learn the local culture of the Davaweños, established camaraderie and share the love of Jesus Christ to the people they meet during the games.

Pastor Gary Visitacion, Director of the Ventures for Victory/Sports Ambassadors in the Philippines said that “we are excited to arrive safe in Davao today. The players are looking forward to play against our local teams”.

The Aussie SA team will play today the Brokenshire College Varsity team @ 4:00 pm at their covered court.

Tomorrow January 24, Thursday they will be playing the Barangay 32-D Basketball Selection at their covered court fronting UIC @ 8:30 AM, to be followed by their guesting at the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) forum @ 10:30 AM at Tower Inn, Quirino Avenue.

The team will pay a courtesy call to BAP/SBP Regional Director Regino “Boy” Cua before playing the MATTS Varsity Team @ 4:00 pm at their covered court. The Aussies final game will be at 6:00 PM at the Almendras Gym against the reinforced CMO Cagers of Christopher “Bong” Go.

The Australian SA team will be led by Greg “Bullstrong” Beacham 6’5 Center, Joshua “Skyscraper” Manthe 6’9 Center,Giles “The Blocker Creelman 6’4 Forward, Paul “The Wingman” Beacham 6’3 G/F, Mark “The Shooter” Beacham 6’3 Forward, Danny “The Highflyer” Cook 6’3 G/F, Mike “Mr. Braveheart” Valenti 6’2 Forward, Hedley “The Quickfox” Taylor 6’2 Forward, Brad “The Hulk” Potts 6’0 Forward and Rufo Cabunkal 5’10 Guard, the team will be coach by Mr. Jeff Long.(PR)

MLKP Cebu embarks on its quest for a rare three-peat

DEFENDING CHAMPION M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City embarks on its quest for a rare three-peat this weekend with the opening of the 2008 Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Sinulog Cup at the New Cebu Coliseum starting this Sunday (January 27).

Scoring the triple-crown won’t be easy for the wards of Michel Lhuillier and Coach Raul Alcoseba, as three tough teams from Metro Manila have confirmed their participation and are on a mission to knock the crown off the Jewelers’ heads in the weeklong tournament sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP).

Leading the invaders are the Toyota-Balintawak Road Kings of Coach Ariel Vanguardia, the Third Placer in the last Philippine Basketball League (PBL) conference.

The Road Kings will test drive their tuned up roster featuring MVBA veteran Ruel Balgos of the Toyota-Iloilo Turbos and fellow Vis-Min players Patrick Cabahug of Cebu and Marvin Hayes of Iloilo. The rest of the crew consists of Erwin Santa Maria, Floyd Dedicatoria, JR Sena, Paul Guerrero, Jonathan Aldave, Chito Jaime, Erick Rodriguez, Bryan Faundo, Richard Cole, Marvin Ortiguerra, Ramon Retaga, Eugene Tan and Cholo Villanueva. Team manager is Ramon Oben.

Coach Vanguardia added that their new recruit Rino Berame, formerly of the MVBA’s Arthro Kontra Arthritis, will not yet suit up for the Road Kings. The 6’7” Berame will remain with the University of the Visayas varsity until the end of the current school year and will play for the Lancers in the Sinulog Cup. The other participating team is returning MVBA member Montaña Pawnshop-Davao of businessman Armando Quibod.

Also from the PBL are the Pharex Medics under Coach Carlo Tan. The Medics are coming off a respectable debut conference where they reached the quarterfinals.

Pharex is expected to parade former Cebu Landmaster stalwart Richard Ian Saladaga plus other Vis-Min talents Ronnie Bughao of Cebu, JR Gerilla of Leyte, Francis Allera of South Cotabato and Jam Alfad of Sulu. The rest of the Medics are Fritz Bauzon, Gilbert Bulawan, Sean Co, Jeff de Guzman, Gester Ebuen, Elmer Espiritu, Ronnie Matias, Emerson Oreta, Darryl Pepito and Don Villamin. Team manager is Jean Alabanza, a former MBA pro with the Cagayan de Oro Amigos.

Adding fuel to the PBL teams’ is their desire to avenge the defeats of their fellow PBL teams in the many invitational tilts organized by the MVBA since its birth in 2006. The likes of TeleTech, Henkel-Sista, Dazz and Burger King have all ventured into Cebu only to come home empty-handed.

The third Metro Manila team, Fifth Avenue Telecoms, is the champion of the Metro Basketball League (MBL). The team is owned by Mike Dullas with former national player and PBA veteran Junel Mendiola as playing coach.

This early, Fifth Avenue is emerging as the dark horse of the tournament. A look at their roster reveals a lot of name players led by Cebuanos Braulio Lim and Roberts Labagala, Ferdinand Go of Butuan City and Ronnie Zagala of Sultan Kudarat. Also in the roster are former PBA players Jeff Sanders, Marlon Legaspi, Allan Salangsang, Ruel Buenaventura, Gilbert Malabanan and Billy Moody. Completing the team are Angelus Raymundo, Al Vergara, Rommel David and Richard Litonjua.

The presence of a very stellar cast is enough to satisfy the appetite of basketball-hungry Cebuano fans and jumpstart what is seen to be another banner year for basketball in Southern Philippines with the MVBA at the forefront.(Anthony Servinio)

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Holiday Basketball League set

The Holiday Basketball League (HBL) Open gets going on February 16 to 17 and 23 to 24 at the Holiday Gym and Spa's newly-built basketball court.

Ivy Fernandez, HGS Chief Operating Officer, said that there will be three age-groups for the tournament.

All basketball enthusiasts are invited to compete in the 16 to 21 years old, 22 to 27 years old and 28 and above categories.

On Thursday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn, Fernandez said that they are expecting 10 teams per bracket to join.

Gym Supervisor Mark Norman "Cocoy" Malbog said that they will make the necessary adjustments in case there will be more teams competing.

The three versus three cagefest offers prizes to the winners.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Legislators down Executives, 112-105 in OT

Jilliard de Guzman came up with another sterling performance by drilling in 35 points to
lead the Legislators past the Executives, 112-105 in overtime in Game 5 of the
Executive-Legislative Basketball Tournament Season 14 at the Davao City Recreation Center.
Aldrin Casado was a big help when he contributed 33 baskets.
Arthur Caminade sent the game into over time when he picked the the loose ball and found
himself open for a clear shot, 95-95.
City Sports Coordinator Christopher "Bong" Go had another off night with only five three-pointers and coming up with a double-digit figure only in the fourth quarter. But he led the Executives with 32 points.
The Legislators lead the series, 3-2 and Game 6 is scheduled on Friday.
The scores:
Legislators (112)- de Guzman 35, Casado 33, Plarisan 8, Araneta 7, Aguilar 6, Pacayra 6,
Apostol 5, Yamit 4, Casan 4, Bredol 2, Acero 2, Mahipus 0, Pahamutang 0, Estomata 0,
Abellera 0.
Executives (105)- B.Go 32, Avendaño 23, Alquizar 14, Acojedo 9, Escoredo 9, Caminade 8,
Gadiano 7, Rivera 3, Melodias 0, Galvez 0.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Youth basketball tryouts on Saturday

The much-awaited tryouts for the National Basketball Training Center gets going on Saturday, January 12, at the Ateneo de Davao University Sports Complex in Matina.
NBTC Davao Commissioner lawyer Manny Nitorreda said the tryouts will be personally handled by NBTC Program Director Eric Altamirano, the former PBA coach, and Alex Compton.
First session starts at 7:30 a.m. for the 14 to 15 years old participants while the second session is from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. for 16 to 17 years old cagers.
Nitorreda said a maximum of 40 players from each age bracket will be selected to undergo training in Davao City once a week until they cover the 60 hours on individual skills and a minimum of 40 hours on team concepts for a period of one year.
The players who make it to the regular training program can be considered for membership in the national youth teams.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Legislators tie series to 2-2

The Legislators bounced back and defeated the Executives, 98-79 to level the series to 2-2 in Season 14 of the Executive-Legislative Basketball Tournament, recently at the Davao City Recreation Center.
The Legislators, led by Councilors Diosdado Mahipus and Dante Apostol, grabbed the early lead and maintained the upperhand all the way to beat the undermanned Executive squad.
City Sports Coordinator Christopher "Bong" Go shrugged off a lousy start but the tight December schedule hampered his performance by drilling in only 24 points.
The Legislators controlled the boards and padded their lead by outscoring the Executives in all four quarters.
The scores:
Legislators (98)- de Guzman 25, Casado 22, Villaver 14, Mahipus 10, Apostol 8, Casan 7, Bredol 4, Yamit 4, Araneta 2, Pahamutang 2.
Executives (79)- Alquizar 33, Go 24, Gadiano 8, Abasolo 5, Fama 5, Caminade 4.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Coaches eye young cagers for national team on Jan.12

The tryouts for the National Basketball Training Center will proceed as scheduled on January 12 at the Ateneo de Davao Sports Complex in Matina.

The tryouts will be fore boys 14 to 17 years old and will be conducted by NBTC Program Director Eric Altamirano, assisted by former MBA and PBA standout Alex Compton.

The tryouts will have two sessions. The first session will be from 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon for the 14 to 15 years old participants and 12:30 p.m. to 5 pm. for the 16 to 17 years old players.

The NBTC will select a maximum of 40 players from each age bracket who will undergo training in Davao City once a week until they cover 60 hours on individual skills based on their position and minimum of 40 hours on team concepts for a period of one year.

Those who make it to the regular training program can be considered for the national teams that will be formed especially for the 2010 Junior Olympics.

Interested players can submit their names to Atty.Manny Nitorreda at the second floor of Merco Building, corner of Rizal and Bolton Streets in Davao City.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

MVBA Yearender 2007 Report


THE YEAR 2007 will probably best remembered as the year that parity began to establish itself in the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA).


After a highly-successful debut season in 2006 that saw the multi-titled M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City Jewelers sweep not just both regular conferences but also all the short-term invitational tournaments organized by the MVBA, cracks in their armor began to surface and the other MVBA teams did not waste time to capitalize.


The year began with M. Lhuillier ruling the four-team Gov. Oscar Moreno Cup at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro City from January 26 to 30. M. Lhuillier defeated host team Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr in the one-game finale, 72-67, thus avenging their 80-85 defeat to MisOr in the classification round.


Less than a month later, it was the turn of Cebu City to host the five-team Cebu City Charter Cup from February 19 to 23. Using a unique double-elimination format, the Jewelers breezed its way into the final game against newcomer Heartvit-Tribu Guardo. Heartvit had to fight its way from the losers’ bracket and their hard work was rewarded with an 84-83 upset of the Jewelers in the championship.


Only four teams would sign up for the 2007 First Conference – Heartvit renamed as Arthro Kontra Arthritis, M. Lhuillier, MisOr and the Iligan Archangels – that opened on March 26 at the XU Gym.


Since a lot of MVBA personalities behind all four teams were running in the May elections, the conference had to take several extended breaks. With all the post-election business finally over by June 1, the conference resumed with the playoffs. Arthro made history by ending M. Lhuillier’s regime in the Visayas Division, beating them in Game Three at the San Carlos Gym, 87-82. MisOr was also stretched to three games by the gritty Archangels, prevailing in the double-overtime Game Three, 99-92.


MisOr then went on to be the first Mindanao Division team to win a regular conference title, sweeping Arthro in two games. MisOr needed an overtime to take Game One, 74-71, at XU. The title came three days later at the Cebu Coliseum, 74-65. MisOr center Frank Nailon earned the nod as conference Most Valuable Player. With only nine days to rest, MisOr joined M. Lhuillier and Iligan in the first Talk N Text Invitational from June 24 to 28. Touted as the toughest Cebu tournament in recent years, the tournament attracted two reinforced teams from the Metro Manila’s Philippine Basketball League, Dazz ‘Sang Patak and Burger King.


M. Lhuillier scored redemption from its First Conference “debacle” by annexing the title at the expense of Dazz, 80-75. Veteran Danny Aying was chosen as MVP in the first provincial tournament under the aegis of the newly-minted Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP). One thing that MVBA teams proved in 2007 was their continuing superiority over guest teams from Manila and other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, a testament of the high level of competition in the league.


The MVBA went on a midyear break to give way to the college basketball season. By September, it was back in business with the Hotel Fortuna Cup from the 3rd to the 6th. After a one-conference leave, MVBA pioneer Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue served notice of its comeback by beating Arthro in the title game, 85-77. Richard Ian Saladaga was named as tournament MVP.


Landmaster continued its winning ways come the Second Conference by tying M. Lhuillier for the best win-loss record at 8-2. Still, M. Lhuillier went on to advance to the conference finals. Aside from Landmaster, the Second Conference also saw the return of the MP Warriors-GenSan into the MVBA fold while welcoming expansion team Duterte Agilas-Goldstar Hardware.


MisOr scored a Mindanao three-peat after disposing of the Agilas and the Warriors in succession. It was a familiar refrain in the finals series as M. Lhuillier emerged victorious in three games, 2-1. Bruce Dacia notched his first MVBA MVP citation.


Finally, the Jewelers added another trophy just before the year drew to a close, the MVBA Christmas Cup over MisOr, 101-94, last December 20 at the Coliseum.


With its second season in the bag, the momentum and lessons learned should augur well for the third MVBA season in 2008. The first two seasons were charged to the learning and growing process. Now, the MVBA has found stability and with the lessons learned will continue to be the basketball force in Southern Philippines.(Anthony E. Servinio)