A champion in its second year, Weavers now the new standard of MPBL excellence
Feeling that a quarterfinal exit last year was far from what they like to be known as an MPBL team, the Abra Solid North Weavers didn’t leave any stone unturned and ruled this year’s National Championship in the most dominant way.
“We learned so many lessons from our initial foray, so I made sure to get the best people available around, from the manager to the players,” team owner Rep. JB Bernos said after his Weavers swept the Quezon Huskers in the best-of-five finals recently. “Luckily, we were able to convince some of the best players [available] and everything just fell into place.”
Bernos said that winning the MPBL title for the people of Abra, who just love basketball, became a family endeavor after last year, as his wife, Ching, and 78-year-old mother, Esther, also the Danglas mayor, gave him their full backing.
“Everyone in the family and the people of Abra, they love basketball so much that their support during our games, even during the elimination round, was overwhelming,” said Bernos.
“If you have the support of everyone you love and respect then everything looks easy.”
Abra’s record-winning streak of 36 games was far from easy, though, as Bernos stressed that the desire and resolve were there from everyone.
Challenge issued
Encho Serrano, Dave Ildefonso and Filipino American Jason Brickman were the main cogs for the squad, which Bernos said he would like to keep to make another run when the next season comes along.
The Weavers won the first two games at their home court in Bangued, and clinched the sweep at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
The team owner remembers issuing a challenge after a 62-58 Game 2 win of sweeping the Huskers.
So he was not surprised to see his players carrying only a suitcase, good only for a day or two of stay in Lucena. Bernos and coach Yong Garcia knew that something special was up.
“That means they accepted my challenge, so they came determined to finish the job,” Bernos said. “And we from Abra are glad of their valiant efforts.”
The Weavers will savor this championship, especially during the holidays. And when the next season comes in, they know that they will be known as champs, and the standard of excellence of the fledgling league.
