AMBL rules BAR caging

CEBU, Philippines - The AMBL Enterprises and Advertising of Allan Lim drubbed the hard-fighting Ginga Hot Mocha, 95-87, to clinch the championship of the Basketball Association of Ramos (BAR) Vice Mayor Mike Rama Cup 2009 First Conference at the Benjamin Solon Memorial Gym in Brgy. Cogon-Ramos, this city.

Ahead by seven at halftime, 48-41, the AMBL cagers employed a more solid defense to stretch their lead to 10 at 71-61 cushion going into the final period.

The Ginga Mocha, whose last taste of lead stood at 18-15, rallied back with savvy to threaten at 80-82 with 2:40 left in the contest behind the efforts of Erik Viagedor and Glen Birao, but the triumvirate of Robert Abasolo, Lito Navarro, and Yokyok Alesna came to the rescue of AMBL.

Abasolo, who ran away with the coveted MVP award, paced AMBL with 26 points. Navarro chipped in 20 points, while Alesna and Rey Jumamil had 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Birao, had 17 points for Ginga Mocha followed by Erwin Ferrer with 15.

In the battle for third, Jan Hog and Cattle Dealer stunned the much favored McMill Enterprises of Macky Hapitan, 95-84.Louie Navarro led Jan Hog Dealer with 23 points highlighted by a spectacular buzzer-beating shot at the midcourt to close the first half. Jimbo Noel backed up Navarro with 21.

McMill was topscored by Danny de la Peña with 22 points followed by Bebot Ancot with 18.

League sponsor and acting Cebu City Mayor Michael L. Rama, BAR president Emot Salcedo and finance officer Richard Regidor were on hand to award the cash prizes, trophies and medals to the top performing teams and individual achievers.

The scores

For third

Jan Hog (95) - L. Navarro 23, Noel 21, Regidor 16, Reyes 12, Abatayo 8, Leopats 6, Villaber 4, Cobacha 3, Libre 2

McMill (84) - De la Peña 22, Ancot 18, Miano 14, Secuya 9, Cabarrubias 6, Tumulak 6, Tecson 2, Hapitan 2, Albia 2, Apa 2, Reynes 1

Championship

AMBL (95) - Abasolo 26, Navarro 20, Alesna 13, Jumamil 10, Monreal 8, Sullano 6, Lim 6, Piñas 2, Quiroz 2, Feliciats 2, Gallway 2

Ginga Mocha (87) - Birao 17, Ferrer 15, Galo 11, Viagedor 11, G. Navarro 10, Ernie 8, Salcedo 8, Limpangog 6, Ompad 1. - GGM (THE FREEMAN)