Asila, Will & Zein bag titles at MKB Executive Cup.

Asila Company and Will & Zein teams won the much-deserved championship trophies for the 5'8" & below and 38 and above at the close of the the Manggagawang Kapit Bisig (MKB) 16th Season Basketball Tournament dubbed The Executive Cup at the Zahid Tractor court in Nasseem on the outskirts of Riyadh.

Hard work paid dividends for Abel Dayrit of Saco World in 5'8" & below and Elmer Cano of the PG Cargo Forwarders in 38 and above, who were declared the Most Valuable Players of the season.

Saco World was in control until the end of the third quarter with Marlon Custodio, Abel Dayrit, Bernie Bulatao, Leonard Pamuti and Ysrael Badilla leading the charge.

The complexion of the game changed at the onset of the final quarter where Asila starring Harold de Leon, Jeff Salac, Jun Cortez, Bon Esguerra and Ed Manansala Jr. overcame the strong challenge of Saco to score a 126-115 game 2 victory for a sweep fo the best-of-three series. Asila won the opener by 107-105.

The 38 and below tussle saw Will & Zein and PG Cargo Forwarders play good defense from the opening quarter.

Will & Zein's Cordio Padin took charge at the offensive end with Bert Careng controlling the boards effectively assisted by Tek Regidor, Boy Mariano and Gremson Treyes to close the first three quarters ahead at 34-14, 61-46 and 81-72.

Consecutive triples by PG Forwarders's Danny Bugayong, Raffy Dalisay and Elmer Cano as well as effective assist by Lino Fernandez and rebounding by Arnold Bansil opened the door for a deadlock at 82 with four minutes left in the ballgame.

Playing team manager Rey Perez and playing coach Dong Bernal called for a timeout that proved effective as shooters Padin, Mariano and Regidor scored steadily to give Will & Zein a 106-98 victory in the decider.

PG Cargo Forwarders took Game 1 105-96 while the champion team won the second game 107-96.

MKB President Robert Barretto and committee officials presented the trophies to the winners. The awardees for the 5'8" & below category were Bon Esguerra -- best sportsmanship player, Leonard Pamuti -- best in 3-point shots, Rolly Agramon -- best team manager and Zandro Herrera -- best team coach. Abel Dayrit took the award for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) aside from being one of the mythical five awardees. Jun Cortez, Jerome Umali, Art Polis and Ed Manansala, Jr. completed the mythical five selections. Hatco Company clinched the 3rd runner-up trophy while AKA and Saco World placed 2nd and 1st runners-up as Asila Company team emerged this season's champions. For the 38 years and above category, Obet Manuel was the recipient of the sportsmanship award, Edward Bautista -- best in 3 points, Will & Zein - best team in uniform, Rey Perez -- best team manager and Dong Bernal -- best team coach. Bert Careng, Edward Bautista, Boy Mariano, Tek Regidor and Elmer Cano comprised the mythical five selections list. Cano emerged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in this category. With Will & Zein in the entourage were PG Cargo Forwarders -- 1st runner-up, Bulacan Aces -- 2nd runner-up and Psalms 23 -- 3rd runner-up.

The tournament is dedicated to the two founding presidents of MKB, Tony Apolto and Romeo Flor Coronado, who passed away this year.

The tournament enjoyed the generous support of major sponsors Princess Noura Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who donated complete set of trophies for the 38 & above category, and Global Dollar Builder Credit Cooperative under the chairmanship of Jeffrey Agregado. Other sponsors were host Zahid Tractor Company, Filipino Dentista in KSA (FDK) and Prince Naif Medical Center.

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