Energen cops NBTC 'Minda' crown, reaches nationals

MANILA, Philippines - Energen annexed the Mindanao crown to join Smart-Manila and Health Solutions-Laguna in the national finals of the Nokia National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League. The team of coach Eldy Cunanan bested Davao champion Megavia, 77-62, at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro City on Sunday to make it to the next level of the tournament under the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP). Van Adam Abatayo and Daniel Sumalinog shot 11 points apiece as the Davao-based team marched into the national finals set May 7-9 at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City. “I told the boys to emphasize on defense and control the boards. We are very happy with this win,"said coach Eldy Cunanan, whose team already had the height advantage as Megavia missed the services of top inside player Kinsman Frando. Martin Delfinado was adjudged as the Most Outstanding Player and also joined the mythical five which includes Bejay Aquino (MisOr), Reden Celda (Megavia), Mark Hans Sabal (Oro Grande) and Johnny Malanday. The Visayas finals started Monday with Cebu champion Daisy Condensada, B-MEG Experts Cebu, Santos Petroleum of Iloilo and Dumaguete Suy of Bacolod City battling for the remaining berth at the USC North gym in Cebu City. The Nokia NBTC D-League is a program meant to produce fundamentally-sound players to future national teams aside from leagues like the UAAP, NCAA, PBL, PBA and the Liga Pilipinas. –GMANews.TV