Macway captures MBL title

MACWAY Travel Club fulfilled its date with destiny by winning its first MBL Open basketball championship.

Led by ex-PBA players Bonbon Custodio and Nino Marquez,  Macway brought down former NCAA champion Philippine Christian University, 89-83, to capture the 2016 MBL Open basketball championship at the Rizal Coliseum.

Custodio, who played for Barako Bull from 2000-11, poured 16 of his game-high 23 points in a brilliant second-half performance that enabled Macway to snatch the victory.

Marquez, who saw action for Air21, scored all his nine points — five from the free throw line — in the payoff period.

Custodio struck hardest when it mattered most, hitting several difficult baskets against PCU's strong defense.

Marquez took over with a pair of barreling drives against his younger defenders. He also went 5-of-6 from the line in the waning seconds.

It was the first MBL title for Macway.

Before winning in the MBL,  Macway bagged 15 titles in different commercial leagues around the country since its formation in 2013.

"It was sweet 16 for Macway. We're very happy to add the MBL trophy to our collection, "said Macway team manager Erick Kirong, whose team finished with an 8-1 win-loss record in the eight-team tournament sponsored by Smart Sports,  Ironcon Builders,  Bread Story,  Dickies Underwear,  PRC Couriers and Gerry's Grill.

Kirong lauded the Macway coaching staff, headed by consultant Braulio Lim and head coach Manny Mendoza, for leading the team to its 16th title.

Macway's lone setback came at the hands of Our Lady of Lourdes Technological College-Takeshi Motors in the elims.

Yves Sazon,  Von Tambeling, Mike Ayonayon and Jack Corpuz led the way for PCU, which stayed in the thick of the fight until the closing seconds.

Sazon topscored withh 22 points, while Tambeling, who was voted as Most Valuable Player, added 16 for the coach Elvis Tolentino-mentored Dolphins.

Corpuz,  the Dolphins' most-experienced player, contributed 13 points while battling Macway's 6-9  import, Maulu Nehru.

People's Tonight sports editor Ed Andaya and MBL commissioner Anthony Sulit awarded the trophies.

The scores:
Macway (89) -- Custodio 23, Natividad 19, Marquez 9, Nehru 9, Dalanon 8, Reyes 5, Fampulme 4, Mangaran 4, Espinosa 3, Sanders 2, Dedicatoria 2,  Santiago 1, Vitug 0.

PCU (83) -- Sazon 22, Tambeling 16,  Ayonayon 15, Corpuz 13, Vasquez 7, Apreku 4, Palattao 4, Castro 2,  Mescallado 0,  Yasa 0.

Quarterscores: 23-26, 41-45,  67-66, 89-83.

— APG, GMA News