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)