THE Perpetual Help community celebrated a Merry Christmas as the Palawan Yurich Builders swept the Rizal Province Switch Fiber, 2-0, following an 88-84 win to win the Junior Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 18-Under Division championship on Monday night at the Home of the Altas Gym in Las Piñas City.
In a thrilling Game 2 finish, Lebron Daep’s back-to-back baskets gave Palawan an 86-84 lead with 26 seconds remaining.
Louie Rosales then sealed the victory, hitting two free throws after being fouled by Rizal’s Axl Manansala with just two seconds left.
Daep, a 6’7” power forward/center, earned Finals’ MVP honors with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds, to go with 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks.
Rosales led all scorers with 29 points, adding 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals.
John Corpuz (11 points) and TJ Tabbuan (10 points) also made significant contributions for Palawan.
Seann Franco led Rizal with 19 points.
Other Jr. MPBL champions crowned that night included the San Pedro Spartans (16-Under Division) and Biñan Tatak Gel (14-Under Division).
Tournament ommissioner Kieth Picazo presented the championship trophy to Palawan coach Joph Cleopas and Frank Gusi of Team Perpetual Altas.
Cleopas, also the head coach of the Perpetual Junior Altas, credited the Jr. MPBL, along with NGBL and Under Armour Invitational Championship victories, as crucial preparations for the coming NCAA Juniors Basketball season starting January 13, 2025.
“For me, the three titles we got during the off-season, the NGBL, Under Armor Invitational Championship and Junior MPBL are just battery of our team, to correct our mistakes whether its losing or winning,” Cleopas said.
“In every game, we learned, this win of ours is a test of our character we have, I told them, ‘don’t be overwhelmed on our victories, be happy but, don’t give your full emotions here, remember we are doing this for our main tournament NCAA. Don’t lose your hunger in each game, focus on the goal and stay hungry,’” Cleopas said
He concluded: “After the celebration, a two-day Christmas break, then we’re back to practice to go back to fundamentals, basics and go back to our mistakes in order to correct them and be ready for the season.”
The Jr. MPBL title capped off a dominant run for Palawan, which swept the South Division with an 11-0 record and won their division in a decisive Game 3 against the San Pedro Spartans.
The tournament, originally slated for November, was delayed due to typhoons.
