TEAM YAMBAO WINS ITS 3RD CHAMPIONSHIP
Photo (left to right: MVP Mark Reyes, Mythical Team Francis Cancio, Boom Gamboa, Russell
Tacorda, Carlo Poblete, Chot Camacho, Peejay Yambao, Mikey Yambao, Jonji Castaneda, Ronnie
Policarpio, Ace Basas)
After winning its 2nd ABL Championship in 2013, the next two years were heart breaking years
for Team Yambao, finishing the 2014 and 2015 season with losses in both championship games.
Losing two straight championships was déjà vu for the players as this has happened in 2005 and
2006 when the team also lost the title matches. The memory haunted the players and
everyone committed to be in tip top shape for 2016.
Game 1
With majority of the players just playing their first game since the last ABL, we started the game
with pain and difficulty. Down by 20 to start the fourth and down 13 in the last 3 minutes, we
managed to steadily dwindle their lead with a full court press, thereby getting steals. Those
steals were finally converted to points as streak shooter Francis got hot and Mark decided to
drive to the basket. Kudos to Pobs Drummond for getting 19pts and 22rebs. Jonji ran away
with 4 steals installing himself as the “Glove”. The P triumvirate of Peter, Poli and Peejay kept
their timely sniping to keep us in the game. Coach Boom orchestrated the comeback, winning
the game 75-71 agsint Team Gaston. 1-0.
Game 2
The team was complete for this game and the game score showed the result. We massacred
Team Dancel 79-64 through our consistent fast breaks in the second half. Ace led the way with
31pts and 14rebs. Jonji continued his offensive juggernaut with a 7 of 9 clip from the field.
Pobs got the needed rebounds for most of Ace’s fastbreaks. Chot’s defense produced 3 blocks.
Game pace was controlled by Peter. Francis, as usual gets his points. Boom was cut in the eye
making his first two points of the game. Poli and Peejay were their usual role-player selves.
Russell played with intensity. 2-0.
Game 3
With only 7 players against Team Avancena, the team managed to still dominate the game, 7061. Our sharpshooters Mark Reyes and Francis Cancio alternated scoring bucket after bucket.
Peter controlled the tempo. Ace began his minutes restriction. Jonji continued his impressive
FG shooting. Pobs was hardly missed as Boom and Russell manned the paint impressively. Poli
finally emerged. 3-0.
Game 4
We beat the previously unbeaten Team Bengzon 64-55. Although everyone had an atrocious
FG shooting, we compensated for it by strong defense. Defense wins championships. Chot led
the way with 4 blocks. Russell outhustled their front court. Francis had a hot shooting first half.
Boom connected on his jumpers. Ace and Peejay ran fastbreaks that made their tongues lash
out in exhaustion. When they were getting close, Poli buried a 3 and Peter took over and made
dagger jumpers. With the game out of reach, we celebrated. 4-0.
Game 5
Despite 3 players arriving during the default time, we massacred Team Dancel 78-62 anew.
They just made it look close with garbage points in the last 3 minutes. Mark finally found his
shooting touch delivering an all around performance of 21pts, 14rebs and 6 assists. We simply
overpowered them with Francis scorching them with 19pts, Mikey running circles with 16pts
and Poli’s sweet shooting touch giving another 12pts. Russell scored a season high 4pts.
Defensively, Chot contested every shot and made 3 blocks. Peejay had a nice 6pts from cherry
picking, his favorite. 5-0.
Game 6
5 players started and ended the game against Team Avancena. However, the five was an
offensive powerhouse. Mark Reyes registered another Lebronesque type of statistics to lead
Team Yambao to a conquering 61-48 win. Poli waxed hot from the perimeter converting his
mid range jumpers 6 of 6. Jonji ran away with 3 steals. Pobs and Chot manned the middle as
their big men couldn’t buy a bucket. 6-0.
Game 7
The game against Team Palou had revenge as its theme. Losing to them in the 2014 ABL was
unexpected and traumatic. Instead of forgetting, Team Yambao used this debacle to fuel its
desire for revenge. The first half saw a close low scoring game, until our offense finally clicked
to break the game away. Mark almost had a triple double, capping his monstrous performance
with an assist to the cutting Russell. Francis was cold to start the game but heated in the 3 rd.
Ace powered his way in the second half. Boom connected on timely jumpers. Peejay had many
cherry picks. Defense intensified in the second half as Chot came clean with 4 blocks and Jonji
stole the ball for a mind boggling 8 times. The mere presence of Pobs distracted their defense
to make it easy for the rest of the team to score buckets. 64-53. On to the finals. 7-0.
Championship Game
With most of the team having hangovers celebrating Peejay Yambao’s birthday the night
before, the team was tentative at the start, leading only by 1 at the half while we were being
torched from 3. The second half had a different tune. The passion and the desire to win
became evident. We started the 4th with a fabulous run capped by two 3s from MVP Mark
Reyes. Francis and Ace alternated with crucial baskets. Pobs was a force in the middle. Chot
gave his all and had a neck strain in the process. Jonji wasn’t able to lead the league in steals,
but was able to pester and disrupt their offensive rhythm. Save the best for last. Boom had a
superb stretch in the 4th – a man of intensity. Poli and Mikey sealed the win with their free
throws. Russell and Peejay were the loudest hecklers in the arena (maybe Jane and Jewel were
louder), motivating and inspiring their team mates. Season ends with a clean slate, 8-0.
2017 is another ABL Year, even though we will be forty years old, we will come back with the
same passion for the game, aiming every year to compete with leaner and stronger bodies in
our quest for a fourth championship.
PS : For background, the team’s three titles (2007, 2013 and 2016) all came via sweeps (8-0).
When their backs are against the wall, this team fights with passion and energy to redeem
themselves, thereby making themselves a class above the rest.
Team Yambao Members: MVP Mark Reyes, Mythical Team Francis Cancio, Boom Gamboa,
Frankie Gamboa, Russell Tacorda, Carlo Poblete, Chot Camacho, Peejay Yambao, Mikey
Yambao, Jay Yambao, Tembong Yambao, Jonji Castaneda, Ronnie Policarpio, Ace Basas, Arnold
Mendoza, Peter Fabie, Greg Tiongco, Mach Molina and Brian Juan.
Write Up written by Peejay Yambao