Both teams played neck-to-neck throughout the game, leaving no room for errors. It was the extra free throw shots from Rolly Paraiso and Budz Camacho that gave the Satbahis the points they needed to win.
The Satbahis started their fragile lead in the second quarter, after the Wings Travels experienced a minor setback. Wings Travel’s Ron Gamboa quickly faked a shot, causing Satbahi’s Jaymar Torres to fall forward, taking Gamboa down with him. Gamboa suffered from slight back pains after being fouled by Torres.
Satbahi’s Marlon Sison finished the second quarter with 10 points, with another six from Budz Camacho.
In the heat of the game, the Satbahis also experienced a couple of turnovers due to traveling. That however, did not stop them from securing a 50-35 lead by the beginning of the third quarter.
Steals from the Satbahis’ half court passes gave the Wings Travels a chance to recover. The Wings Travels pushed for a final 80-80 tie by mid-fourth quarter.
A three pointer from Wings Travels’ Manalo Manolo gave the team hopes for a last second victory – unfortunately, the 20 seconds left on the clock did not give them enough time to catch up.
Satbahi’s Budz Camacho earned the highest individual score with 26 points. Wings Travel’s Jessie Mina came in second with 23 points.
“It’s very hard because they gave us a good game, and I’m very proud of my boys because they did a good job. It’s a team effort, we need everyone, and all our players are helping each other,” said Coach Marlon Sison from Satbahi. “Thank you to all my teammates and to Father Ike, who supports us as our team manager.”
Following the championship match was the Miller Lite League’s awarding ceremony. Taga Security’s Joel Javier was awarded Best in Rebound, while Satbahi’s Buz Camacho received Best in Shotblock. Jun Tabora, who was not present at the ceremony, was declared the league’s Scoring Champion. Trinity’s Epi Cabrera received his title as the 3-Point King, while Highway Express was awarded Best in Uniform. VCC also received the Sportsmanship Award.
The ‘Mythical Five,’ as mentioned by the league, included MGD’s Von Tamayo, Satbahi’s Marlon Sison and Andy Mortos, Wings Travel’s James Camacho, and Grillin’s Rosell Ritual. Tamayo and Sison received Best Guard, Mortos and Camacho received Best Forward, while Ritual received Best Center.
Sison was also the recipient of the Best Coach award, while Mortos was declared the Final MVP. Following Mortos was JR Barrios, who was given the Regular-Season MVP trophy.
The Wings Travels came next to the Satbahis as First Runner Up. The Grillin’s followed as Second Runner Up, trailed by the MGDs as Third Runner Up.
Miller Lite League Commissioner Sonny Ebuen stated that the next season may start in October or November.
Scores:
Satbahi 95 – B. Camacho 26, A. Mortos 20, R. Paraiso 19, M. Sison 14, K. Concepcion 4, J. Tengco 3, J. Wodson 2, A. Velasco 2, J. Siriban 2, J. Torres 2, A. Hernaez 1
Wings Travel 92 – J. Mina 23, J. Camacho 22, M. Manolo 11, R. Gamboa 11, L. Itaas 11, D. Morales 10, R. Hilario 4
Quarterscores: 22-18, 35-50, 59-65, 92-95
