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Duenas, Cruz are IVYBL MVPs
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Posted on Apr 23 2006
Matt Duenas and Jericho Cruz played on a level of their own over the past season, and officials of the recently concluded 2006 Island-wide Village Youth Basketball League recognized them for their efforts.
Duenas, who led the San Antonio Sixers to an undefeated regular season finish and an appearance in the championship game, was crowned as regular season most valuable player.
With Duenas playing consistently, Sixers I was able to tackle all challenges in the regular season and took home the pennant crown with a perfect 7-0 record.
Duenas, who finished as the league’s No. 2 scorer with an average of 14 points per outing, was pleased with his effort this season.
“I’m feel good and proud of what I was able to do,” the 14-year-old Saipan Southern High School student said. “I did well all season and I’m proud of my team. We work together and played good.”
For his part, Cruz, who is no stranger to the IVYBL spotlight, earned the championship MVP trophy after scoring 23 points against the Sixers I to lift his team to a 42-40 victory.
“I really wanted to win before leaving,” Cruz said, citing that the season was his last in the 14-and-under IVYBL. “I wasn’t supposed to play, but because we lost last year, I really wanted to do this and help the team win the championship.”
Cruz credited his team’s accomplishment to “hard work and practice.”
“We worked really hard and the Sixers were tough but we were able to come through. We were serious in the game and really wanted to win,” he said.
Also getting recognized was scoring champion Luizi Reyes of the third place CTSI Logistics-basked H.O.M. Saints after the cager scored about 149 points in the seven games he played for an average of 21 points per outing.
Meanwhile, Sixers I coach Ray Duenas took home the coach of the year award after leading his team to the finals and guiding the cagers to the undefeated regular season.
