CEBU, Philippines - The Al Solis-led Living Word-International Bible Institute (LW-IBI) scored a masterful 86-76 win over the Christian Workers Basketball Association (CWBA) to snatch the 35-above division championship of the 3rd Fellowship of Christian Athletes Basketball League (FCABL) Inter-Church Basketball Tournament last March 3 at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Mango Campus gym.
Earlier, the Living Word Couples defeated the CBT Warriors, 70-47, to settle for third place.
Solis, a former PBA star and long-time assistant of coach Elmer "Boy" Cabahug when the UV Lancers won nine straight titles in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI), was playing coach for LW-IBI and his presence spelled big difference in their title quest.
As Solis provided leadership on the floor, Jonathan Sacabon, former CDC Stallion guard Christian Bacus and Mel Caparros took charge on the offensive end with 39 points combined. Bacus went on to lift the MVP trophy.
Ex-USJR Jaguar Edward Buhay was the lone double-digit scorer for CWBA with 15 points.
Eric Agcaoili, on the other hand, topscored for LW Couples with 15 points, while Michael Abella paced CBT Warriors with 19 points.
This year's edition of the FCABL tilt was made possible through the support of Nissi Academy International of Lapu-Lapu City, Psalms Property, Eagles Vantage, Rent.ph, and M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala.
The scores
For third
LW Couples (70) - Eric Agcaoili 15, Pastor 12, Pelleno 11, Buot 9, Delos Reyes 8, Caspe 8, Navarrete 6, Badrina 6
CBT Warriors (47) - Abella 19, Simborio 7, Camacho 6, Pastor 3, Antonio 3, Limalima 2, Gerona 2
Championship
LW IBI (86) - Sacabon 14, Bacus 13, Caparros 12, Catamco 11, Geuvain 10, Ceniza 8, Solis 6, Morales 6, Rosales 4, Ortiz 2
CWBA (76) - Buhay 15, Navarrete 9, Alocillo 6, Cimafranca 6, Piquero 6, Olojan 6, Belono-ac 4, Canoy 4, Aleonar 4, Calonia 3, Catacutan 2, Crescencio 2 (FREEMAN)