Winter League 2017-2018: Good Start.. Better Finish!

The PBAM Rebound Vol. 13

Winter League 2017-2018: Good Start.. Better Finish!

by Jake Cepeda Maguigad

Good start, better finish sums up the 2017 – 2018 Winter League.

Thought of, expected, even hoped by some, to fall flat, the Montreal Filipino Community’s premiere Basketball League, performed more than expected. And rookies in Management and Administration made that happen.

Notable changes in the new set-up: the strict enforcement of the 50% + 1 rule, stunned marquee players who were disqualified but welcomed by those who confirmed to it, a modified but more realistic uniform rule, less teams (by 3), less games but more Finals, one suspension accepted readily, more involvement from and interest by the membership, made possible by a Council with a collective 45 team entry.

Too early to crow or thump the chest but it is a good sign. After 23 years a facelift in Management was more than coming, it is refreshing. These rookie Administrators represent contemporary, not antiquated, thinking for a new generation. Rookies as players in 1994 and now Rookie Administrators of the 2nd oldest Filipino Association of Montreal. A fair return for a good investment, what else can be satisfying? God helps those who help themselves.

RESULTS:

In an amazing display of talent and gamemanship by both teams, UKENT-Gilas absorbed the 28 point performance of Jaxen Bustamante and held off GIG to curve out a 55-44 win to bag the 8-log Championship. MVP : Liam B. Winning Coaches: Jojo Valdes and Henry Bundalian.

In a thriller, Lawrence Rabino‘s AK ITLOG posse eked out a 35-32 win over PAAWIS to clinch the Championship. A heartbreaker, down by 12 at the half, 25 – 13, PAAWIS staged a furious rally to bring down the lead. AK quelled it. MVP : Aven Allana.

AK – ITLOG Champions

In the Sisiw Division, the Bakers showed their overall mastery with a 77-56 conquest of GIG. MVP : Christine Gerardo.

In the PIPIT Division, the match-up was so evened up. It was too tough a call to make between PAAWIS and BAKERS. Anticipated to be a toss-up, it played the role. It was a nip and tuck affair from the start, and on the sizzling 18 point 1st half performance of Christian Payawal, PAAWIS, down by two, 36-34, to a powerful BAKERS five, held on.

Same pattern in the 2nd, of streaks, of lead changes, a fine display of youth exuberance, agility and daring. Then it happened. Going for a loose ball, Payawal collided with a team mate resulting with a nasty fall requiring an ambulance.

The injury did not make PAAWIS roll over, it challenged them. Picking up the cudgel, Ian Rosales, William and Sean went mano a mano with Bakers stellas RJ and Jason. But in an end game, the scoring and playmaking of Christian Payawal was crucial. It was missed, the Bakers slugging out a 77 – 72 win. MVP : RJ.

Bakers – SISIW & PIPIT Champions

In a Marquee glamour game, LAWIN Division, the Street Ballers, spotting a 12 point half time deficit, 30 – 18, tightened a porous defence and on Gelo Eganias 24 point explosion, edged out PAAWIS 50 – 46 to take bragging rights. MVP : Angelo Eganias.

Street Ballers – LAWIN Champions

In the PAREHAS Division, Tharub finally ended the drought. After so many years, Rommel Laureata‘s Charges. on Casio Cocjin smarts (what else?) and late splurge sneaked by JHO Driving 52 – 47 for the Title. MVP : Casio Cocjin.

In KUMAKANA Open, PAAWIS White calmed down a stubborn but game GIG tropa, in a high scoring game 84-78 for the crown. MVP : CJ.

In SIKAT Open, Coach Willy Pescador‘s star studded and youth laden Llamados finally picked up their stride late in the game to pull a tight one, 74 – 64, over an experienced but tiring All City. MVP : Cris Rajamdram.

Llamados – Open Champions

All City – Open Runner Up

In TANDANG (30+) Uno, DU-30 dealt the double whammy on All City with a 70 -59 decision. MVP : Mark Cocoy Payo.

DU30- Tandang (30+) Champions

All City – Tandang (30+) Runner Up

In TANDANG (30+) Dos, SM SERVICES outlasted JHO Driving, 70 – 47, to claim the Title. MVP : Bryan Carandang.

In MASTERS (40+) Uno GIG proved too much to handle for Del Cacabelo‘s La Salle, 98 – 75. MVP : Jex Mendiola. On a good note, James Bulchand netted in 20 points for the losing team.

GIG – Masters (40+) Champions

In MASTERS (40+) Dos Mel Natividad‘s BANNA, down from an 11 point halftime deficit, rebounded and clawed back to stun TRIBONG PINOY, 48 – 43 for King of the Hill honour. MVP : Frank Bandong.

Bakers – Women’s Champions / GIG Women’s Runner Up

Jake Maguigad
PBAM Adviser

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