MJDL sweeps CIPU, bags Customs cage crown

CEBU, Philippines - The MJDL Titans completed a two-game sweep of the Cebu Inter Port Users (CIPU), 70-57, to win the championship of the Cebu Customs Invitational Tournament 2013. But this time and unlike Game 1, they made sure that the outcome was settled early by dominating all aspects of the game from the second quarter until the final buzzer.

After taking a 17-14 lead at the end of the first period, MJDL went to the duo of  Noel Medalle and Jhaymar Elloren to break wide open the close game and take a commanding 43-27 lead at halftime. The Titans went to their relentless full-court pressure to limit CIPU to only 13 second quarter points while drilling 26 of their own with all players fielded in that stretch contributing to the offense.

As expected, CIPU fought back and staged a rally to cut the deficit to 54-48 at the end of the third period behind Kenneth Maningo’s 11 points, but MJDL kicked off the final period with a 13-2 blitz for an insurmountable 67-50 lead. CIPU was never the same after that and was never able to adjust to what MJDL threw at them.

Janus Abellana led a balanced MJDL attack with 14 points. The Medalle brothers Baeng and Noel had 11 and 10 points, respectively. Maningo was the only highlight for CIPU with his 16 points.

In the sudden-death duel for third place, PhilHealth defeated Bureau of Customs (BOC), 85-74, via the leadership of Sherwin Arco, who had 24 points. Kern Sesante led the Portmen with 14.

The Cebu Customs Invitational Tournament 2013 was established to bring together the various trade partners and friends of the BOC in a friendly competition. The awarding ceremonies will be held at the BOC’s anniversary celebration late this month.

The scores

For third

PhilHealth (85) – Arco 24, Escobido 11, Ynadon 9, Sasing 8, Ramas 8, Yu 7, Ornopia 6, Yap 5, Quiñanola 5, Reyes 2

Customs (74) – Sesante 17, Cañete 14, Oyao 11, Mose 10, Gacilos 9, Laraga 8, Biteng 4

Game 2, Finals

 MJDL (70) – Abellana 14, B. Medalle 12, N. Medalle 11, Elloren 8, Rollon 8, A. Laborte 6, N. Laborte 5, Enriquez 4, Areglo 2, Apuya 2

CIPU (57) – Maningo 16, Aniñon 8, Garcia 8, Palero 6, Manlosa 6, Carmen 4, Moral 4, Solidarios 3, Largosa 2.

Quarterscores: 17-14, 43-27, 54-48, 70-57 (FREEMAN)