PBAM Metro Summer League 2017... Wild Finish • PBAM • Since 1971

August 30, 2017

The PBAM Rebound Vol. 11

PBAM METRO SUMMER LEAGUE 2017… WILD FINISH

by Jake Cepeda Maguigad

It was curtains for the PBAM Metro Summer League 2017, Sunday, August 27 at CDN Sports Centre, 5354 Gatineau Avenue.

It was a wild finish for the triple-header Finals, all games going down the wire, all games decided by 2 points max.

In Metro Tercero, in a battle of run and gun youthful teams, Wendell Crodua’s BISMEN, on the scintillating 20 point performance of MVP Jeff, sneaked by Jex Mendiola’s GIG, 60-59 to bag the Title. It was a heartbreaking loss for GIG, despite the 21 point heroics of Bjeurn Mendiola.

Vintage ALL CITY, pulled a fast one and eked a 47-45 stunner over the NARCISO Clan. With the win, ALL CITY claimed the Metro Segundo Title.

High mileage performers Gil Manon-og, Rowell Solmerano, Jex Mendiola, Vanna So, Miggz Sorensen and new plug, Anny Phetxayakhoth, playing a strong game, took the half, 26-21.

With Kevin Narciso picking up scoring duties, Jeremy and Tim Boayes with hard nose defense, the Narx took the lead early in the second, 28-27 and on a roll, extended the margin, 38-32. All CITY, now in rhythm, absorbed the Narx roll and countered to level up at 38-39. The Narx made a move to pull away, 43-40, 45-42 but All CITY, stubborn as hell, persisted with a three, 45 all.

Nitty gritty time, seconds away. An errant Narx foul, a Solmerano steal and a Phetsa jumper sealed the deal, and with it the Title, 47-45.

IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND APPRECIATION, MVP (Most Valuable Papa) AWARDS were given to JEREMY NARCISO and MIGUEL SORENSEN who became Fathers August 14th. Congratulations!

If Metro Tercero and Segundo were sizzlers of a game, Metro PRIMERO between Run CDN and LLAMADOS was more of a sizzler, 2 times over, double overtime.

The setto was a match-up of 2 budding rivals in PBAM Leagues, and pitted mano a mano 2 outstanding players, Chris Rajamdram vs. ex Bishop U Gaiter estrella Jonah Bermillo.

Bidding their stellar time, Chris and Jonah, let the team role players do their thing. Behind Kevin Tulud’s and Aron Carbon’s shooting and Peter dela Paz court generalship, RUN CDN dictated terms and with a LLAMADOS tentative defense and anemic offense, CDN took the half, 32-23.

Gloves were taken off in the Second half. With Rajamdram, scoreless in the 1st, picking up the scoring slack, boost from Gelo Eganas and Ryan Agana and the dogged defense of Carlos and Archie Vega, Llmados bounced back and took the lead, 33-32. Bermillo, 2 points in the 1st, took on the challenge. But intermittent shooting by RUN CDN could not stave the off the LLAMADOS rush. A tit for tat exchange ensued, a prelude to a double Overtime.

Going down the wire at 61-61 even, Llamados converted on 2 charities, 62-61, 63-61 to take the lead. Run CDN, once again levelled, 63 all. On the return, LLAMADOS stalled for the winning shot. The chance came at no better time. With 1.8 seconds left, Archie Vega was left uncovered under the basket, no mistake, he converted, 65-63. 8 seconds left, done deal, game over.

Who said PBAM Metro Summer League is boring?

The Finals was stage-managed, complete with a Sound System, by Jason Mayuga and his Crew. Good job!

Llamados – Metro Primero Champion