MBI finishes season on a high note

Micronesian Brokers Inc. bowed out of the 2005 MDX Amateur Radio Club Inter-Color Basketball League with a win after beating a cautious Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense team, 92-85, in the cagefest’s final regular season game Friday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

SIP, which already cornered the No. 2 seed in the playoffs and was battling 287 Club-Verizon in the Final Four as of press time, actually led the first three quarters of the ballgame, only to succumb to MBI’s 33-point fourth quarter explosion.

With 2004 Rookie of the Year James Villacrusis and seldom-used point guard Lawrence Buniag pouring in 10 points and eight points, respectively, SIP was able to take command early and led 24-13 after the first quarter.

The high-leaping Villacrusis added nine more in the second, but MBI rallied with man mountain Larry Palero banging in 18 points in the same quarter to help his team cut its deficit to 40-45 at halftime.

Steady Jason Amado picked up where Villacrusis left off in the third by pumping in 10 points. Buniag, Jester Garcia, Junar Guiab, and Marlon Cabrera also did their part in offense, as SIP opened a 72-59 spread heading into the fourth and final quarter of the contest.

But just when everyone was expecting MBI to roll over and die, the team summoned up all its remaining strength for its final 10 minutes of the season.

The 6’3” Palero this time teamed up with 6’2” rookie sensation Elbyn Cecilia as the duo torched the net en route to scoring 21 of the team’s last 33 points to help MBI complete the upset.

Palero had a monster game and wound up with 44 points, 23 rebounds, a steal, and a block in a no-relief effort. Cecilia also filled the stat sheet, totaling 19 points, 12 boards, seven assists, and three steals. The win allowed MBI to wrap up the season with a 2-5 mark.

Villacrusis paced SIP with 23 points, while Buniag, Guiab, Amado, and Cabrera each scored 10 points or more for the team, which finished the elimination round with a 5-2 win-loss card.

The other Final Four match-up last night pitted undefeated Poohdeni against the playoff’s last qualifier JCN Enterprises.

MBI 92 – L. Palero 44, Cecilia 19, Barja 15, R. Palero 14.

SIP 85 – Ja. Villacrusis 23, Buniag 13, Guiab 13, Amado 12, Cabrera 10, Garcia 6, Tamondong 4, Jo. Villacrusis 2.

Scoring by quarters: 13-24, 40-45, 59-72, 92-85.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.