MOBIL OIL MBL It's a threepeat for GTE

GTE Pacifica bagged the Mobil Oil Masters Basketball League (MBL) Crown and their third consecutive title in three years.

GTE Pacifica earned their threepeat Masters Basketball League title with a 61-45 victory over Sanrio-Badtz Maru team Saturday night at the NMC Gym.

With the title at stake Badtz Maru started the game with an easy lay-up coming from Bruce Berline to score the first 2 points of the ball game.

On the next possession Oscar Masga was fouled as he was going for a shot and was sent to the free throw line. Masga however only managed to connect 1 out of 2 to give Badtz Maru a 3 point lead.

Felix Palacios took a 15-footer jump shot and made the first 2 points for GTE and cut down Badtz Maru’s lead to 3-2. Bruce Berline once again made an easy lay-up to give Badtz Maru a 5-2 lead. On the next play of action Badtz Maru’s Joe Tudela made another lay-up to increase their lead to 7-2 with still 14:00 minutes remaining in the first half.

GTE Pacifica playing coach Tony Sablan was able to regrouped his starting five as Doc Brostrom was fouled and was sent to the free throw line and connected 2 for 2 to cut down Badtz Maru’s lead to 7-4. Then Ed “Towering” Cosino sank a 13 footer to cut down Badtz Maru’s lead to 7-6. Jack Palacios made a reverse lay-up to give GTE the lead 8-7.

After the Jack Palacios reverse lay-up, GTE Pacifica started their fast break under the leadership of team captain and point guard Frank Iglecias. Dado Vistal, Ed Cosino, Doc Brostrom, Frank Iglecias, Danny Bicera, Felix Palacios and Aloy Torreon shut down Badtz Maru’s offense as they controlled the boards since Badtz Maru’s Joe Tudela was in foul trouble. Bruce Berline and Kevin Gobel were not able to control GTE Pacifca’s triple towers of Doc Brostrom, Ed Cosino and Aloy Torreon.

With 6:18 minutes remaining in the first half, Badtz Maru’s playing coach and MBL president Joe Pangelinan took a time out to regroup and they were able to score another 2 points ceremonies will be on

GTE once again increased their lead to 30-11 on a 3-pointer converted by Dado Vistal. Vistal was 4 for 4 in the rainbow area. Badtz Maru’s Joe Tudela converted the last basket for his team and cut GTE’s lead to 35-11. Dado Vistal however with 20-seconds remaining in their first half sank another 3-pointer to give GTE Pacifica a commanding lead of 38-11 at half time.

Second half GTE Pacifica once again started their fast break as they increased their lead to 55-16. Badtz Maru however started their own Badtz attacked with Joe Tudela leading his team and nailed GTE Pacifica to 55-45 with still 4:34 minutes remaining in the ball game. GTE was not able to score another point after Jack Palacios was called for his 5th personal foul with still 4:25 remaining in the ball game. After Jack Palacios committed his fifth foul, GTE coach was given the a technical by referee Ray Lizama.

GTE Pacifica with the experience, age, and height advantage under the leadership of their team captain Frank Iglecias slowed down the tempo of the game as Ed “Towering” Cosino a strong candidate for the playoffs MVP sank the last point for GTE Pacifica 61-45 to give the lead and the victory.

Badtz Maru had an off night as sweet shooting forward John Guerrero who averages 20 points a game only managed to score 4 points and power forward Oscar Masga who averages 22 points per game was off and only converted 5 points. Masga who was 1 for 9 in the 3-point area. Badtz Maru however tried their best to give GTE Pacifica a good game and a good matchup. Even though having an off night Badtz Maru have nothing to lose since they did their best and they were playing a experienced team.

GTE Pacifica had the height, experience, and considered the youngest team in the league. This team was formed in the 90s and had captured more than 4 titles in the SABA and BANMI Leagues. They know how it feels to play in the finals and they will try for their fourth title next season, according to playing coach Tony Sablan.

Dado Vistal was the leading scorer for GTE with 16 points, 1 assist, 3 rebounds, and 9-steals. Ed Cosino helped out Vistal with 11 points, 5 blocks, and 13 rebounds.

Bruce Berlin was the leading scorer for Badtz Maru with 14 points, 1 assist, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals, while Joe Tudela who was in foul trouble still managed to help out with 9 points, 1 blocked shot, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals in a losing cause.

Awarding ceremonies will be on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2000 at 6:00 p.m. at the NMC Gym.