THE MPTC (Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation) basketball team etched itself in the history of the annual MVP Olympics after completing a three-peat with a 94-82 win over PLDT at the Meralco gym recently.
A telling 20-8 exchange entering the homestretch clinched the game and the title for MPTC which became the first ever team to score three straight championships in the tournament featuring personnel of the MVP Group.
Until MPTC went on that game-changing run, the reigning, defending champion trailed the top seeded team, 74-72, with six minutes remaining.
The three-time champion is coached by veteran Adonis Tierra, while former NLEX player Philip Paniamogan served as one of his deputies.
The win likewise avenged MPTC’s loss to PLDT in the eliminations where they lost by 21 points.
Members of the champion team include Earnest Reyes, Brylle Solis, Joem Ellamil, Ervin’Wemby’ Mercado, Jeff Basa, Lemuel Pateno, Tony Tayao, Rowell Pangilinan, Jing Barret, Dom Fajardo, and executives Allan Gregorio, Geno Jumao-as, Ben Bagunu, Glen Campos, and Ronald Dulatre.
MPTC and PLDT turned back their separate semifinals opponent to set up the winner-take-all title showdown.
MPTC edged out Meralco in overtime, while PLDT beat Maynilad in the other semis pairing.
Coached by Bong Ramos and powered by Gelo Montecastro and Magi Sison, PLDT went to the finals undefeated.
Present during the finals were MPTC President Rogelio ‘Babes’ Singson, NLEX President Luigi Bautista, and former NLEX chief Rod Franco.
The scores
MPT (94) - Reyes 27, Mercado 16, Jumao-as 11, Fajardo 10, Ellamil 9, Solis 8, Bagunu 6, Dulatre 5, Barret 2, Patenio 0, Tayao 0, Campos 0, Gregorio 0, Basa 0.
PLDT (82) - Boholano 26, Carandang 23, Liquinan 11, Reyes 10, Soriano 6, Montecastro 3, Morillo 3, Ymasa 0, Sison 0, Gutierrez 0, Quiamas 0.
Quarterscores: 27-20; 49-41; 71-65; 94-82.
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