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Mendoza gets first UFO Masters MVP
Blue Haus’ Edsel Mendoza added the UFO Masters MVP trophy to his already impressive trophy collection after winning the coveted individual award in the 2015 United Filipino Organization Basketball League last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
Blue Haus’ Edsel Mendoza goes up for a reverse layup against Motion Auto’s Andy Viola during the third quarter of their Masters title game in the UFO caging last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
Mendoza, who has won numerous individual awards in Open and Masters tournaments, was named this season’s MVP after leading Blue Haus to a regular season sweep (5-0) and a convincing finals win against Motion Auto, 100-67.
In five games in the round-robin regular season, the former CNMI National Team member Mendoza scored in double figures, providing offensive threats for Blue Haus inside and out. He had a slow start in the regular season, making 15 points in their 90-80 opening day victory against Motion Auto. Mendoza hiked his production a bit in their 86-69 rout of the Old’Aces and then had back-to-back 23-point performance in their wins over Graphics/BBQ 6, 84-48, and Armatech, 90-72. The Blue Haus forward then closed out the elimination with a 17-point output in their 80-79 overtime victory against LBT Appraisal.
With Mendoza and company sweeping the regular season, they automatically advanced to the semifinals where they were paired against Armatech. Mendoza went on to lift Blue Haus to a 66-54 semis triumph and brought eventual champion team to the finals, as he scored a game-high 23 points.
In the winner-take-all finale against Motion Auto last weekend, Mendoza had his biggest production in the season, as he knocked in 26 points to power Blue Haus to an easy finals win.
Before getting his MVP plum, Mendoza was earlier recognized for making it to the Mythical Five along with Armatech’s Ferdie Tobias and Bruce Berline, LBT Appraisal’s Jun Alipio, and Motion Auto’s Mico Usi. Members of the Mythical Team were presented with trophies, which were also handed out to the Top 4 finishers in the league: champion Blue Haus, runner-up Motion Auto, third placer Armatech, and LBT Appraisal.
