3-peat for Waray in NFBL

Details

Published on Sunday, May 8, 2016

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Press/Neepawa Banner

Waray has claimed its third straight championship in the Neepawa Filipino Basketball League (NFBL) and was able to do so in dramatic fashion. Trailing by four with just 1:17 remaining in the final quarter, Waray scored the final six points of the game, to claim the final by a 63-61 margin over Badak.

The final matchup of the NFBL season was played in front of a raucous crowd of over 250 people at the NACI gymnasium on Sunday, May 8. The showdown started off extremely well for Waray, as they scored the first eight points of the game. The team continued to control the early tempo and were able to secure a 22-13 lead after the first quarter. Badak inched its way back into contention however, as the second quarter progressed, ultimately cutting the deficit to just two points by the end of the first half, at 33-31.

Early in the third, Badak took the lead with an early three pointer. They continued to pressure Waray into low percentage shots, while taking advantage of their own opportunities, securing a 52-45 lead into the fourth and final quarter. 

Waray started to play at a quicker tempo as time ran down, while Badak went with a slower, methodical pace, in an effort to run down the clock. Slowly, but surely, Waray cut down the deficit it faced, until the game was tied at 61-61 with just 30.2 seconds remaining. With time running out, they were able to drop a basket in to reclaim the lead for the first time since early in the third. A last second half court attempt by Badak as time ran out bounced off the rim, to make the final score 63-61. 

After the game, Mark Rioja was named the game MVP. With the NFBL season now concluded, league commissioners Stafford Greer and Grant Hurrel wish to thank Lorelyn Knight of Investors Group for sponsoring the playoff trophies and congratulate both teams on an amazing performance to end the season.

Final seconds of NFBL Championship