Filipino Basketball League’s Maiden Season – A Huge Success

By Emar Sy
Pickering-Ontario-Canada
July 6, 2017



43 teams from 9 ball clubs battled it out for the first Filipino Basketball League championships last June 24 at the Dunbarton Secondary School in Pickering. With 8 divisions (U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15 and U16) at stake basketball teams that reached the finals along with their supporters trooped its way to championship venue.

Red Warriors of Coach Ron Clarin draw the first blood by upsetting the U9 division favourite Crossover Basketball. Crossover Basketball of Coach Bryan Morales entered the finals with an 8-0 record only to lose at the finals to the gritty Red Warriors led by MVP winner Michael Calleja.

UNDFTD of coach Tone Alfonso followed Red Warriors lead by also upsetting multi champion North York of Coach Victor Montero banking on his dynamic duo Zach Walker Acedillo and eventual MVP EJ Agua.

At the U11 division Red Warriors of Coach Reid once again repeated its mastery of North York but not without a scare before the latter losing steam at the overtime. Monika Reid was named MVP of the division.

Not to be outdone is the Maharlika Royals of Coach Melvin where they demolished North York to win at the U12 Division with Kevin Damaoa being adjudged as the MVP. Mhiles Escalona was leading scored for the defeated North York.

CKATT of Coach Javier relied on steadier hands and organized team work to beat North York of Coach Mark Victoria at the U13 division finals with Darren Javier leading the charge and winning the MVP plum. Angelo Vega led the scoring for the losing North York.

Crossover Basketball suffered another upset at the U14 Division to the determined Lapsley of Coach Fulo. Coach Rey of Crossover missed the services of some of his players that made matter worst. Hendrick Fulo also played very well and matched the output of U14 pacesetter Jerome Ramirez to win the MVP awards.

At the U15 division, Lapsely almost staged another upset against North York of Coach Atong Columbano. Lapsley led by Neil Paras came back from a large deficit but lost steam at the last minute. Team Canada Crossover mainstay Brendon Ocampo led North York and went home to win the MVP awards.

Crossover U16 of Coach Abe Oligane redeemed the clubs earlier upsets at the other divisions by demolishing Bayan. Jason Diaz displayed his 3 point shooting prowess and Max Cruz led the charge leaving Bayan clueless on what hit them. Max Cruz, also a Team Canada Crossover mainstay, went on to win the MVP title.

Awarding ceremony followed suit after the championship games with FBL commissioner Wallie Landicho and FBL Director of Operations Mike Cruz thanking all the teams, players, coaches, supporters and sponsors. FBL’s first season was also a huge success due to the support provided by Mr. Manolo Arnaldo of PNB Remit, Ms. Agnes Miranda of WFG, Mr. Manny Yanga of Scarborough Toyota, Mr. Manny Gutierrez of TFC, Ms. Monibel Dychiao of Right Home Realty, Mr. Paeng Nebres of Action Honda, Mr. Ron Clarin of Downtown Automotive Group, Mr. Bong Tiaga of Medicstox, Mr. Ferdie Baguiza of UMAC and FOREX, Ms. Elsie Altamirano of Millenium Financial Services, Mr. Ariel Santos of Mortgage Center, Applebees, Estacion Foods and Crossover Sports Canada.