MDX stuns SIP in UFO caging opening

MDX-Chow Queen appears to be an early favorite in the 7th United Filipino Organization Inter-Organizational Basketball League after stunning defending champion Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense, 94-85, during the league’s kickoff night Sunday at the JP Center Basketball Court in Garapan.

MDX, which is composed of the core of the Dollar Days team that ruled the inaugural Navy Hill caging this year, played in the second game, and drew big games from Wowie Abuel, Kae Bernardo, and Ivan De Vero to pull off an upset over SIP.

The Bong Dungca-coached MDX also showed chemistry, which SIP lacked, as the latter struggled in shuffling its players, trailed early, and never recovered.

Abuel and Bernardo combined for 15 points in the first period and gave MDX a 27-20 advantage. The lead ballooned to double figures several times in the succeeding periods, as De Vero joined the scoring spree with his fastbreak layups.

SIP made one final attempt to steal the win when Pete Mendiola canned a triple to cut the lead to six, 82-88, with 52 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

After a timeout, MDX ran a well-executed play with Bernardo making a left sideline inbound and passing the ball to Bart Demapan, who then made a bounce pass to a cutting Abuel on the right wing. Abuel nailed the basket, giving MDX more breathing space and the lead returned to double digits, 92-82, after Bernardo buried an open jumper off another Demapan feed following an SIP botched play.

Bernardo top-scored for MDX with 27 points, while Abuel added 21, making nine of them from downtown. De Vero chipped in 17 points.

Junar Guiab paced SIP with 19 points, but was scoreless in the fourth. Elmer Esdrelon tallied 16, while Edsel Mendoza and Mendiola contributed 10 apiece.

In the curtain raiser, the Jericho Cruz-led Samahang Manggagawang Filipino/Quichocho Law Office walloped Cabalen-Jhems, 117-81.

Cruz had a game-high 25 points, while Bonbon Cadagat fired 18 markers. Four other Quichocho Law Office players finished in double figures to win their debut in the eight-team league.

The UFO caging opened with the traditional parade of teams. Bayani later was awarded the Best in Uniform trophy, while Cabalen’s Pebbles Basilgo was named Best Muse.

Other teams playing in the seventh edition of the league are VisMinDa, Northern Marianas Bartenders Association, and NAMFREL.

SMF 117 – Cruz 25, Cadagat 18, Tumaquip 12, Lerio 14, Moises 14, Mendoza 10, Mendez 6, Pagarao 5, Apelo 5, Itaas 4, Tagle 2, Jugos 2.

Cabalen 81 – Mina 24, Guiang 20, Ortega 10, Cadag 7, Corotan 6, Guinto 5, Achaluche 4, Samson 2, Tengco 2.

Scoring by quarters: 25-18, 57-35, 80-53, 117-81.

MDX 94 – Bernardo 27, Abuel 21, De Vero 17, Tamayo 16, Demapan 8, Basilla 4, Melv. 1.

SIP 85 – Guiab 17, Esdrelon 16, Mendoza 10, Mendiola 10, Camacho 7, Villacrusis 6, Factor 6, Matagolai 4, Talania 3, De Dios 2, Canete 2.

Scoring by quarters: 27-20, 47-32, 67-58, 94-85.