By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE PTI Yankees claimed the 35-and-up championship in the 2006-2007 Masters Basketball League after beating Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense in the finals, 100-93, last Friday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
Edsel Mendoza led all scorers with 36 points and made a crucial jumper in the last 30 seconds of the game to lift the Yankees to a title win.
Ronald Delos Reyes led SIP’s losing cause hitting 34 markers.
His 3-point play off a Jeffrey Warfield foul gave SIP its first taste of the lead in the fourth quarter, 86-85, with 2:30 left in the game.
After Mendoza nailed a layup to put the Yankees back in the lead, Delos Reyes drilled two free throws to grab the driver’s seat anew, 88-87, going into the last two minutes of the match.
Mendoza answered with another layup, while Delos Reyes split his charities to tie the game at 89-all, with 1:38 left on the clock.
In the Yankees’next offensive play, Delos Reyes was called for an unsportsmanlike foul when he turned his back on Mendoza, who was pulling off a jumper a few steps away from the free-throw line and fell hard on the floor after a collision with the SIP player.
Mendoza made both free throws and the Yankees were awarded possession. Mendoza drilled two more charities after drawing a foul from Pambid to give SIP a 93-91 cushion, with 1:118 remaining on the clock.
Richard Brostrom blocked Tony Diaz, who drove to the right baseline, and Mendoza made a bounce pass to Palma for an easy layup increasing the Yankees’ lead to four, 95-91.
Adonis Macoto then nailed two free throws to move SIP within two, 95-93,
with 55.1 seconds remaining in the game.
The Yankees inbounded the ball and with a few seconds left before the 24-shot clock was to expire, Palma threw a pass to Mendoza, who was left open for a jumper when William Opone reached in trying to steal the ball. Mendoza’s basket gave the Yankees a 97-93 lead, with 30.4 seconds left in the match.
SIP’s chances to force a deciding Game 2 disappeared when Delos Reyes missed a triple in the next offensive play.
George Poquiz split his charities to secure the win for the Yankees.
Meanwhile, Proa/Security Title took the 45-and-up championship after winning via a default over the PTI Storms.
Palma added 26 points for the Yankees, while Brostrom chipped in 16.
Scores:
Yankees 100—Mendoza 36, Palma 26, Brostrom 16, Raho 8, Poquiz 3.
SIP 93—Delos Reyes 34, Diaz 22, T. Alegre 10, Macoto 9, R. Alegre 6, Pambid 2, Opone 2, Moreno 2, Villarin 1.