Behind by 16 points in the third quarter, the Chow Queens needed a quick way to catch up. Missing his first series of three-pointers, Wowie Abuel started shooting for layups.
Konflikt’s Elmer Esdrelon resorted to free throws in the second half after being fouled by Dave Sablan. Reaching his fourth personal foul in the last minutes of the game, Jomar Tumaquip was replaced by Edsel Mendoza.
The Chow Queens caught up near the end, when Banjo Basilla joined Kae Bernardo and Sablan on the court. Sablan played well at first, firing two three-pointers in the first half.
Taking the lead, the Konflikts focused on the defense. Darwin Barbo dominated in the rebounds while Tumaquip made two more points.
The game heated up as Sablan brought his team closer to the Konflikts. He scored two consecutive layups until he was stopped by Esdrelon, who collided with him. The Konflikts secured their win when Esdrelon shot his last free throw of the night.
Abuel tried to score one last three-pointer for Chow Queen but missed. The Konflikts controlled the court in the last 30 seconds, protecting the ball from Sablan and Bon Tamayo.
Esdrelon scored the highest with 20 points, followed by Bernard Aquino with 18 points.
With a final score of 95-90, the Konflikts were declared as the open division’s new champions. Losing only one game in the regular season, the Chow Queens won first runner-up and were the league’s pennant champions.
Team SIP Mobil ranked next to the Chow Queens, winning second runner-up.
Winning individual awards were: Bon Tamayo (best in steal), Marvin Rabauliman (best in shot block), Darwin Barbo (best in rebounds), Jomar Tumaquip (best in assist), Jun Estolas (best in scoring), Wowie Abuel (best in three points), Elmer Esdrelon (best in free throw), and Konflikt’s Norman Del Rosario (best coach). Esdrelon was also awarded as the finals MVP. He joined Estolas, Bernardo, Sablan, and Barbo in the open division’s mythical five. Kae Bernardo collected another trophy for being the regular season’s MVP.
Tony Diaz, James Abuy, Banjo Basilla, George De Guzman, and Edwin Santos were also awarded as the masters division’s mythical five.
Scores:
MAFEA – Ali’i Konflikt 95 – E. Esdrelon 20, B. Aquino 18, D. Barbo 14, M. Capalad 12, Edsel Mendoza 12, J. Tumaquip 9, B. Talania 6, Edmark Mendoza 4
MDX – Chow Queen 90 – D. Sablan 16, W. Abuel 16, B. Basilla 14, I. De Vero 14, K. Bernardo 14, B. Tamayo 2, A. Mortos 2, G. Aquino 2
Quarterscores: 30-13, 61-38, 78-62, 95-90
