Corporate Basketball

Presenting our GRUNDFOS BASKETBALL LEAGUE statistical leaders of the season!

GIS UNITED UPSET INFRA, CLAIM MAIDEN GRUNDFOS TITLE

GIS United had battled hard to edge past INFRA to claim their maiden Grundfos Basketball League crown, after a nail-biting 61-58 thriller at the Gatorade Hoops Center last December 13.

Bernie Beluan’s crew had to come from seven points down in the payoff period, where in a massive run by his men saw them end Infra’s title defence. He was the lone man in double figures as they scored by committee, emphasizing the balance of the squad as two players each 9 apiece and a trio hit 7 markers each.

The MVP capped off their crowning glory as he led all scorers with 13 points and added 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks to his line.

A hot first quarter was spearheaded by Beluan's 9 points, with Jaztin Pumaren and Jaymark Gamboa provided cover with five apiece (and nine points total each) as GIS got ahead by ten.

However, a fightback by Infra saw their foes held to just a solitary point courtesy of a Jefferson Arroyo split from the line, but that was the buffer GIS United needed as they still remained ahead at the break.

Infra's comeback continued in the third, as timely buckets by Arnel Manuel and the midrange accuracy of Floyd Galimba saw the pair hit for four points apiece as they enter the final quarter even at 41.

The champions continued to roll through Alfie Colcol, and he had a lot of help too as they erected a 54-47 lead at the midway point of the fourth quarter.

However, it was also the period where Shoti Go and Robert Laurente went off, with the former setting up a wild finale with a booming triple to level the title game at 54-all.

Both teams would exchange buckets since that, until Ken Ajero scored a clutch putback off a Beluan miss from three to give the GIS the lead for good, 59-58 with 37.6 seconds to go.

After a defensive stop on the other end, Go capped off his night with a lay-up off Beluan's pass with 5.7 ticks remaining, as he would end up with five points in the final canto for a total of 7.

Pumaren and Gamboa put an end to the reign of Infra by their defense, as GIS United clinch the title in the most dramatic fashion.

The scores:

GIS UNITED 61 – Beluan 13, Pumaren 9, Gamboa 9, Domingo 7, Laurente 7, Go 7, Calinagan 4, Ajero 2, Fonte 2, Arroyo 1

INFRA 58 – Colcol 12, Llana 9, Mercado 8, Manuel 8, Galimba 6, Delos Reyes 4, Mendoza, 3, Nieva 3, Santillan 3, Escarillo 2, Racelis 0, Pangilinan 0, Acosta 0, Bungato 0

Quarter scores: 26-16, 27-26, 41-41, 61-58

: GIS United can now say they are the kings of the Grundfos Basketball League after a long wait!

Although their long reign ends, expect Infra to bounce back next season stronger than ever.

Finishing on a high note, Edward Moreno and Infosol got the bronze and the final spot in the podium.

Bernie Beluan: The ultimate stats machine

GIS United's Bernie Beluan lives by the mantra of "Numbers Do Not Lie".

The do-it-all cager is the hands-down MVP of the Grundfos Basketball League, as he takes double-doubles for a living.

His triple-double against Infosol last November 15 is the first ever in the league, and shows the unstoppable skills of Beluan!