NLEX sweeps its way to PBA D-League crown

With less than a second left and the score tied, Game 2 of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup finals between North Luzon Expressway and Cebuna Lhuillier seemed headed to a five-minute extension. But a last-second basket by Ronald Pascual gave NLEX a 61-59 win to clinch the inaugural title of the fledgling league in dramatic fashion at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. Thursday’s game could go down as one of the most thrilling championship finishes and Pascual’s left-corner jumper at the buzzer a welcome addition to the country’s most historic shots. With only eight-tenths of a second to spare in the game, Pascual received an inbound pass from Pamboy Raymundo and hoisted a quick jumper from the left corner over Cebuana Lhuillier’s Marvin Hayes. The ball swished through the net that sent the NLEX fans in jubilant celebration and the Cebuana Lhuillier gallery shocked. NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez said Pascual’s basket was a set play. “I know he can make it. We have been practicing that play because I know that we are going to need that." "Sobrang sarap. "The boys followed the play to the letter. When Ronald took that shot, I knew it was going to go in," he added. "Swinerte lang," said Pascual after the game. "Pero, sobrang saya ko talaga kasi nga kami yung kauna-unahang nag-champion dito sa D-League," he added. "Pina-praktis lagi namin 'yun. 'Yung last shot, binigay talaga sa akin. Sobrang hindi ko ma-explain ang feeling," added Pascual, who finished with 10 points and five rebounds. The game looked headed for overtime after Kevin Alas completed a tough lay-up from coast-to-coast with 0.8 seconds left in the clock. That fraction of a second proved to be enough for the Road Warriors to steal the win. "I credit the players. Without them, I won’t be winning this championship. Cebuana Lhuillier is a strong team but the heart of my players really made the difference," said Fernandez, who ran towards the court to celebrate as if he had just scored a game-winning goal in football. Hyram Bagatsing led Cebuana with 13 points and his three three-pointers let the Gems creep back into the game. His final three cut the Road Warriors’ lead to one, 58-57, with 1:22 left in the game. Both teams came up empty in their respective offensive plays until Ogie Menor split his free throws to give NLEX a 59-57 lead with 6.6 ticks to go. The 'Beast' ready for PBA? Calvin Abueva, the do-it-all forward who was one of the strong candidates for the most valuable player (MVP) award, had 18 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks for the Road Warriors. "Magandang opportunity talaga sa akin itong D-League. Dati kasi sa NCAA lang, pero ngayon naipakita ko dito yung galing ko [na pwedeng pang-PBA]," Abueva said. Allein Maliksi was named the D-League MVP. "I was sad for him that he didn’t win the MVP. But this championship is more important," said Fernandez. The Foundation Cup title was Fernandez’s second crown after steering Sta. Lucia to the 2008 PBA Philippine Cup against Purefoods. Hayes had 10 points, Alas had nine and Maliksi was limited to only eight points. NLEX looked headed for a runaway victory after a 43-30 lead in the third but Cebuana Lhuillier – behind Alas, Maliksi, Hayes and Bagatsing – countered with a 15-0 blast to grab the lead. A Karl Dehesa lay-up tied the game at 45-all at the end of the third. NLEX took Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series, 76-62. Maliksi is 1st D-League MVP Maliksi, a former University of Santo Tomas Tiger, of the Cebuana Lhuillier emerged as the first-ever MVP of the PBA D-League. Maliksi won the prestigious individual award after the votes from the PBA Commissioner’s Office, broadcast media and sportswriters were tallied. He beat NLEX’s Abueva and Eric Salamat for the plum. Maliksi received the MVP trophy from PBA commissioner Chito Salud and B-MEG board representative Rene Pardo before the start of Game 2 . Maliksi averaged 19.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists and shot 42 percent from the field in six elimination round games with the Gems en route to a 5-1 win-loss card in Group B. Maliksi played for only one season as a Tiger in the UAAP and also suited up for the Philippine Patriots but saw limited action in the ABL. He came back strong in the D-League. - Reuben Terrado, with reports from Mav C. Gonzales, JVP, GMA News