The Office of the President survived the Bureau of Customs, 82-81, to capture the first-ever Farm Fresh Corporate Basketball League President’s Cup held last September 27 at Meralco Gym.
The championship clash lived up to its billing, featuring 12 lead changes and six deadlocks in a back-and-forth affair.
With 1:35 remaining, Allan Martin drilled his second trey of the game from the deep corner to give OP a 75-74 lead, setting the stage for a heart-stopping finish.
BOC’s late surge was undone by two costly turnovers, allowing OP to use its size advantage to control the boards and protect the paint in the final possessions.
Kenneth De Vega, named Finals MVP, paced OP with 12 points and seven rebounds.
Martin and Justin Ramilo chipped in 11 points apiece, while Best Defensive Player Rocky Antonares added 10 markers and eight boards to anchor OP’s interior presence.
For BOC, Adrian Gilbuena led all scorers with 19 points, complemented by league MVP Christian Dival and Janov Tria, who contributed 15 points each.
OP punched its ticket to the all-government agency showdown by toppling BDO, 73-62, in the semifinals, while BOC ousted Tanduay Athletics, 79-76, on September 24.
The league also featured teams from Meralco and the Bureau of Immigration – Department of Justice (BI-DOJ).
Rounding out the tournament’s Mythical Five are Dival, Antonares, Nichole Maulion (Tanduay), Mark Fampulme (Meralco), and Daniel Martin Uy (BDO).
The Corpo Ball inaugural season was made possible with support from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Anta, Shakey’s, and Leon Lab.
