IBP Basketball League: PD Lex Idols crowned back-to-back champions

CEBU, Philippines — The PD (Pepito-Daluz) Lex Idols trounced the Pañeros, 59-42, to clinch back-to-back championships in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Basketball League 2024 over the weekend at the Capitol Parish Gym along Escario Street in Cebu City.

Waxing hot right from the opening tip-off, the Lex Idols never looked back after breezing through a hot 18-9 start.

Emman Malazarte, a former varsity player of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles, bagged his second straight MVP award.

Malazarte finished with 17 points, including nine in the fourth period where the Lex Idols outgunned the Pañeros, 14-6, to seal their 17-point blowout.

Fermin Pepito chipped in with seven markers, Red de la cerna, Angelito Ortiz, Edward Kong, Karl Sayson, and Danrey Cabataña added six points each, while Jeremie Nuñez contributed five points for the Lex Idols, who bombarded the Pañeros with nine 3-pointers.

Under the guidance of playing coach Ferdinand “Bong” Pepito who pocketed his ninth crown, the other members of the Lex Idols are Jessie Capoy, Tito Apolinario, Jave Aton, Edz Ibañez, Jan Michael Albaño, Anthony Leigh Sibi, Jemil Christian Marquez, Jennifer Jabil, and Alberto Montefalcon.

They will shoot for a three-peat in the league’s season-ending conference later this year.