Jason Opiso saved his best for last as he powered Marikina to an 84-73 victory over Xentro Mall Rizal in the championship match of the Ballout Sports Season 2 Founder’s Cup late Sunday at the Marikina Sports Center.
Opiso pumped in 23 points and 15 rebounds to help Marikina clinch the crown and come up with a strong preparation for the upcoming season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League that opens on 11 March at the Quezon Convention Center.
An MPBL veteran, Opiso also dished out three assists and completed two steals to spark the Shoelanders’ breakaway in the third period in which they outscored the Golden Coolers, 28-15.
He drew plenty of support from local hero Felipe Chavez, who finished with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Kyle Tolentino and Deo Timajo emerged with 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
Earlier, James Martinez was named as Best Player of the Conference after averaging 24.5 points, 10.4 assists and 10.2 rebounds to lead AMA University’s campaign.
The league, which is headed by legendary coach Joe Lipa as commissioner, Chris Bautista as chief executive officer and former Ginebra forward Ronald Magtulis as head of basketball operations, also staged an exhibition match putting cage legends against the executives of Cocogen.
It was like a reunion of sorts for Lipa as he rubbed elbows with players who used to be under his wings like Allan Caidic, Jerry Codiñera and Marlou Aquino.
Caidic and Codiñera played for Lipa during the 1986 Asian Games while Aquino served as his man in the middle during the 1995 Southeast Asian Games.
