Mangali, Camacho split MVP honors

The coveted MVP awards in the 2nd Domino Lux International Fraternity Basketball Invitational Friendship/Miller Lite League went to the players of this season’s finalists.

QQ Rent A Car’s Elgene Mangali took the regular season MVP, while Badong Camacho won the Finals MVP after lifting Blue Haus to a 76-69 victory in the winner-take-all finals last Saturday at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

Mangali led QQ’s second wind, as he helped the team win three of its last four games in the regular season after a so-so performance in the first part of the elimination round. The QQ shooting forward scored in double figures in eight of the nine games in the regular season, having his best offensive showing against Mobil when he drained 29 points. Mangali’s lone single digit production (seven points) came against Andhok’s, but still he averaged 17.4 points in the elimination round where QQ finished at the No. 5 spot.

In the first game in the playoffs, Mangali continued to top the boards for QQ, as he netted 24 markers in their 78-75 overtime win against Crystal Pure. The QQ gunner then picked up where he left off in the semis win (94-86) against pennant champions Sunrisers, as he nailed 25 points. In the finals, despite getting into foul trouble early, Mangali still led QQ in scoring with his 23 markers.

Camacho had an inconsistent performance in the regular season for Blue Haus, but delivered when it counted the most when he logged 21 points in their championship win over QQ. Camacho was the big difference for Blue Haus, as QQ defenders found it difficult to stop him, as the Finals MVP hit a couple of short jumpers and underneath shots.

Incidentally, Camacho was also the Finals MVP in Blue Haus’ title win over MDX, 70-43, in the inaugural DLX caging, and the lanky forward scored 21 points, too, in the one-game finals.

Camacho and Mangali received trophies for their respective feats during the league’s awards ceremony after the championship match.

DLX officials also handed other team and individual awards, including the Best Coach plum that went to Blue Haus’ Dante Olivos and the Sportsmanship Award which the Sunrisers/Island Apparel took home.

The Sunrisers and Andhok’s, which played in the battle for third place, also took home trophies for placing third and fourth, respectively, while QQ was handed the runner-up trophy.

Mangali went home with two individual trophies, as he also made it to the Mythical Five, joining Blue Haus’ Elmer Esdrelon, Shirley’s Bruce Berline, the Sunrisers’ Jawn Joyner, and teammate Rolly Paraiso.

Trophies were also awarded to Blue Haus’ Brendon Talania (best in steals) and Sam Fernandez (steal), Mobil’s Jun Estolas (assists), Berline (rebounds), and Andhok’s Grille’s Tim Wesley (blocks).