The Masters Challenge

July 9, 2019

The PBAM Rebound Vol. 20

by Jake Cepeda Maguigad

Riding high on the euphoria of the Toronto Raptors NBA Championship, the PBAM, “Montreal Filipino Basketball Is What We Are All About” appreciated with The Masters Challenge June 29-30 at LS CDN .

3 out of town teams came visiting to complete 9 entries in the 2 day Tournament.

The Super Masters (35) opened the festivities. GIG surprised All City with a 66-60 win and FCE subdued Boston Harold 59-48. In ensuing engagements, Boston edged GIG, 66-63, All City over FCE 46-43 In the third outings, FCE whacked GIG 74-60 and Boston squeezed past All City 55-51.

Going into the semis Sunday, No. 1 seed FCE demolished GIG 62-47 and no. 3 All City outlasted a tired Boston Five, 66-54.

The Super Finals pitted FCE vs. All City. Youth and stamina vs. smarts and chemistry. Playing on a long court, smart money would bet on youth and stamina. Dead wrong.

Despite the heads up play and heroics of Cocoy Pajo, AC Aberin and Manny Guinto, FCE did not have what it takes too sustain the All City game.

Playing with the vim, vigor and vitality of the good old times, Vanna So, Rowel Solmerano, Chris Fagen, Jod Maguigad, Miny Phetsayakoth, Jon Bustamante and Satish took a 10 point lead at the half, 28-18 and never looked back to win, 44-32. It was an All City, not Old City performance. MVP : Vanna So.

The Final game, Masters Open, between Justin Uy‘s Brampton ALL IN and North York’s LUNANIANS was not to promote the Toronto Raptors in the CDN-NDG Borough. It just happened.

All In, was a regular in the Tournament until 2013 and never won the Title. The Lunanians played last year under another name.

The Lunanians, seeded no. 1 (bye), who earlier in the positioning round, squeaked past the Marquiz, 77-75, on the last second free shots of Tyson, won a hard fought game against the pesky Marquiz, 66-58, to advance.

All In, overwhelmed Chosen Gen, 68-52, then shaded Phase 1, 45-42, to advance for an all Ontario showdown. Which Club will rapture?

The Lunanians look spent. They tried to make a game against All In but the physical game and run and gun tempo against the Marquiz, took its toll. The vaunted Lunanian offence, led by Tyson, simply sputtered and stalled.

All In deeper bench, with Colin, Mike and beefed up by the Gyle brothers, Amir and Brandon, raised and went all in. The Lunanians folded, 54-33. MVP : Amir Gyles.

The Masters Challenge revival was staged managed by Aaron Poonin and Jex Mendiola and Jake Maguigad as Consultant. Looking forward to 2020 …. OUI THE NORD !!

Jake Maguigad
PBAM Adviser

Jake-Maguigad-Interim-Treasurer