By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
One of the fast-rising local basketball leagues in the City of Love had a successful opening ceremony held at the Pavia Multipurpose Gym last October 15, 2023.
The Ilonggo Basketball League (IBL), organized and developed by the Ilonggo Sports Event Management Services (ISEMS), received a warm welcome from the eight competing teams including their followers who were on standby both in the venue and their livestream in their official Facebook page.
A short opening message from one of the organizing committee members, Mr. Clifford Mabaquiao, formally opened the IBL Season I tournament followed by the presentation of the muses.
After the short program, Mr. Rolando Cunanan, the tournament commissioner, gave his closing remarks and headed the ceremonial ball toss together with the team captains of the participating teams.
Team Carelon and Iloilo Mission Hospital then took center stage for the first game of the Sunday schedule.
The veteran-filled Mission team imposed their will on Carelon, 97-83, to become the first team to enter the tournament’s winning column.
Team Mission’s firepower just proved to be too much for Carelon after asserting their mastery inside the paint and outside the perimeter.
ISEMS then named Adrian Dellaban as the Best Player of the Game as the seasoned floor general dropped 13 points, six assists, and four rebounds on Carelon.
For the other results of the opening schedule, team Leadgen got the better of Toyota, 86-82, with Kyle Pador taking the Best Player of the Game honors with 26 big points.
Coca-Cola Bottlers then outdueled Bancon, 90-84, led by Randy Lensig with an all-around performance of 22 points, five assists, and two rebounds.
During the last game of the Sunday schedule, the Pryce Gas Flame Masters edged the LGU-Pavia squad, 89-83, with Erick Larios leading the way with 23 big markers.
