Crosstown Auto Centre receives the championship trophy from organizing committee member Rande Cagalitan after winning the final game of the 2nd Edson Filipino Inter-Town Basketball League, Sunday. In the photo are (left to right) organizers Rodel Gravides and Aileen Gabito, Liam Baui, Edwin Arciaga, Floydd Eyao, Cagalitan, team captain Dodo de Guzman, Erdz Orquez, Jayson Caag, Derrick Rodriguez, Lemuel Baui, Sam Cajilig, Sarce Garcia, Virlou Orquez, Virson Orquez, JR Eje (kneeling down) and coach Chester Tiongson.(Photo by Moses Billacura/pinoy edmonton news)

Grande Prairie Filipino Basketball League(GPFBL) team led by Ervin Lanada(5th from left, standing) is composed of Noel Barcelos, JP Cruz, Jo Baquinas, Renato de Leon, Dominic Macarine, TR Gomez, Gilbert Awid, Arnel Enriquez, Antonio Nuyda, Reinson Avila, Joshua Manzano, Patrick Corpuz, Jonas de Castro, Jhon Bueno, Mike Fajardo, coach Jimmy Guarin with their supporters. Also in the photo are organizers Rande Cagalitan, Rodel Gravides and Joey Manalang (with microphone). (Photo by Moses Billacura/pinoy edmonton news)

2ND EDSON INTER-TOWN LEAGUE FINAL
Crosstown Auto outlasts Grande Prairie FBL, 108-86

By Moses Billacura

EDSON — Crosstown Auto Centre fought toe-to-toe in the first half with the Grande Prairie Filipino Basketball League (GPFBL) squad but outlasted them in the last two quarters to annex the 2nd Edson Filipino Inter-Town Basketball League title, 108-86, at the Holy Redeemer Catholic High School, Sunday.

Grande Prairie came closer, 41-43, when center Reinson Avila buried his two free throws after being fouled by Liam Baui, 18 seconds remaining in the second quarter but after that Crosstown Auto went back to hard work.

Crosstown Auto employed a tighter defense in the third quarter forcing Grande Prairie to give up several ball possessions.

Most valuable player Virson Orquez drained a three-point shot from the top of the key then followed it up with lay up to pull away, 58-50, 6:37 remaining and Sam Cajilig found an open space for an undergoal stab to give Crosstown a 10-point cushion, 60-50.

Avila, one of the two big men who helped in the rebounding department, suffered a leg cramp, 4:44 left in the fourth quarter, and was sidelined for the rest of the game leaving Mike Fajardo to man the boards and the scoring at the paint for Grande Prairie.

Coach Chester Tiongson sent back his young guns Virlou and Virson Orquez, Jason Caag, Lemuel Baui and Floydd Eyao in the last four minutes that kept Grande Prairie’s last five unit TR Gomez, Dominic Macarine, JP Cruz, Mike Fajardo and Jo Basquinas at bay.

“We are happy with how the games ended and the players, despite the intensity of the game, quickly extends a helping hand when a player is down on the floor,” said Tiongson.

GPFBL coach Jimmy Guarin said they are looking forward to competing in more leagues and will develop the young team to perform even better next time. “We were able to form this team in less than two months and they showed a lot of potential,” he said.

Grande Prairie’s Reinson Avila, Mike Fajardo and Dominic Macarine, Crosstown Auto’s Virlou Orquez and Jason Caag were named in the Mythical Five Selection while Ches Tiongson took the best best coach honors after leading his team to victory.

Nineteen-year-old Virson Orquez bagged the most valuable player award for Crosstown Auto.

Kia Motors North Edmonton-Philippine Sports Association placed third in the eight-team league organized by the Filipino community here composed of organizing committee members Rodel Gravides, Randeza Cagalitan, Joey Manalang, Aileen Gabito, Raprap Mendoza and Lilo Pidneault.

Crosstown Auto Centre, ATB Financial Edson, Mr.Darci, Tim Horton’s and Subway supported the two-day event that has attracted teams from Slave Lake, Drayton Valley, Whitecourt, Hinton, Grande Prairie and Edmonton.

Boxscores:
(Final)
Crosstown Auto Centre Edmonton (108)-Virson Orquez 26, J.Caag 16, Virlou Orquez 15, Lemuel Baui 11, D.Rodriguez 10, F.Eyao 8, Liam Baui 7, J.Eje 4, S.Garcia 3, D.de Guzman 3, E.Orquez 2, S.Cajilig 2, E.Arciaga 1.
Grande Prairie Filipino Basketball League (86) – M.Fajardo 26, D.Macarine 16, R.Avila 15, J.Cruz 8, T.Gomez, A.Nuyda 5, A.Enriquez 4, J.Basquinas, J.de Castro 2, N.Barcejos 3.
Referees: Mr.George, Ms.Rose
(pinoy edmonton news)

Antonio Nuyda of Grande Prairie team happily receives the raffle prize from Crosstown Auto’s Chester Tiongson. In the photo are organizers Aileen Gabito, Joey Manalang, Rande Cagalitan and Rodel Gravides.(Photo by Moses Billacura/pinoy edmonton news)

Grande Prairie’s JP Cruz protects the ball from Crosstown’s JR Eje in this bit of action of the 2nd Edson Filipino Inter-Town Basketball League, Sunday.(Photo by Moses Billacura/pinoy edmonton news)

Grande Prairie’s Dominic Macarine looks for an open man as he is closely guarded by Crosstown Auto’s Sarce Garcia(No.12) in the final game of the 2nd Edson Filipino Inter-Town Basketball League, Sunday.(Photo by Moses Billacura/pinoy edmonton news)