Laguna, Quezon enter Nokia finals

MANILA, Philippines - Laguna Health Solutions routed Quezon Power Limited-Lucena, 82-65, to bag the second conference championship and make the regional finals of the Nokia National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League recently at the San Beda Alabang.

The team of coach Jun Tiongco tagged along its victims to the regional finals against the Olongapo Volunteers of Senator Richard Gordon and Tarlac on March 19-22 in Subic

The tournament is supported by Nokia Philippines and TAO Corporation under the aegis of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas headed by Manny V. Pangilinan and executive director Noli Eala.

“We had more experience than Lucena although they also have good materials. My players are more seasoned since they play in different leagues,” said Tiongco, whose team has the nucleus of the San Beda Alabang squad.

“Starting this Tuesday, we will be preparing hard in the finals against Olongapo and Tarlac,” Tiongco added.

Ryusei Koga, Jed Salaveria and Gio Marasigan, who combined for 38 points, occupied places in the mythical five with Marasigan nailing the Most Outstanding Player trophy and Salaveria as the second conference Most Valuable Player (MVP).

GJ Ylagan and Alvin Tan of Lucena were named part of the mythical team with Quezon Power Limited-Lucena’s Rick Berry as best coach. Their teammate, Michael Pate, had 13 points in the losing cause.

BMEG Premium Batangas placed third while Dasmariñas Illustrados-Cavite ended up at fourth place.

The Nokia NBTC D-League is a program geared at developing fundamentally sound cagers for future national teams and also leagues like the Liga Pilipinas, UAAP, NCAA, PBL and the PBA.