| The 2001 NAABL Playoffs proved that it isn't how you start a season but how you finish it. The Passions capped off the season by consecutively defeating all three championship contenders to become the 1st Annual NAABL Champions. The Passions beat the #4 Raptors at the end of the regular season. And then on Playoff Day they avenged their only two losses of the year by sending #2 Red Storm packing and then they handed previously undefeated Team United their first loss of the season. None of the games were a cakewalk but the Passions played great team basketball when it counted on both ends of the court and they stepped up their game when it was necessary. Congratulations guys. I never doubted you (haha). All the games for the day were highly competitive and very enjoyable to watch for all the spectators. For complete game recaps, click down below (updates now up). It was a fun season for everyone involved. All the teams improved near the end of the season, there weren't alot of blowouts during the year, talent was evenly distributed, and any of the semi-final teams could have won the championship. That is more than you could say for other leagues or tournaments. But the league is always interested in listening to all suggestions that improve competition, game play, and/or enjoyment. If you have a suggestion, comment, or complaint, let us know. Contact us at [email protected] or just sign the guestbook at the bottom. Please continue to visit this site every so often in the offseason to check out new ideas for next season and to stay updated on current events that the league has planned. (Anyone play golf?) Once again, thanks to everyone for a successful year. We will continue to build upon the league's solid first year to make the league mo better for years to come. Congratulations to the Passions for making an exciting run for the title. And good job to all you losers too. Keep ballin in the offseason. See yall at the gym next year. Ferd Dimaiwat League Director |
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| Postseason Recaps |
| Because of my busy schedule I wasnt able to update the NAABL postseason recaps as quickly as I usually like to but it was a tight postseason, not soon to be forgotten. Mad props to the Passions who got hot near the end of the season to make an exciting run at the title. And by no means did they have it easy. They finished the regular season with a win over the Raptors, then proceeded to dismantle the Red Storm in the semis and then a last second bucket by Gary Cuaresma in the finals against United to become the First Annual NAABL Champions. Congratulations Passions. |
| Semi Final A: #4 Raptors 41 #1 United 52 The first semi-final game of the playoffs got the day started off in high fashion in an exciting matchup which pitted an undefeated United team against a Raptors team which was getting in a groove. United got off early by doing what they do best: going inside to Joy Arenas (8 first half pts; 14 for the game 4/8 FTs) and letting Andy Sanderson get his from the perimeter (9 pts, 3/4 FTs in the first half). But the Raptors' David Erichetto (10 first half pts; 14 for the game), Mike Marasigan (6 pts all in the first), and Kevin Parks (5 first half pts) accounted for 21 of the Raptors 23 pts to keep it tight going into the half 29-23. This despite the absence of, arguably, the league's biggest offensive threat, Mel Right, whose car broke down that morning. He eventually showed up real late in the second half(he did manage to go 4/4 FTs in the waning minutes) but United's persistent offense did its thing again: Sanderson hit 3 threes (to finish with 18 pts), Arenas worked the low post, and Craig Bynum filled in the blanks finishing with 10 pts, 2/2 FTs. The Raptors defense looked like a pain in the ass up front with Marasigan and Erichetto causing turnovers. But it wasnt enough. Against the league's best team, you can only go so far without your best player. I PICKED United over Raptors 55-45. Pretty close, huh? I knew Mel's car was gonna break down. Howd I know? Well... Id do anything to be right. |
| Consolation A: #8 G Stars 48 #7 Sharks 44 This game was a struggle to stay out the cellar but it was a close contest the whole way through. Sharks' Terry Eusebio started the game like he was on a mission hitting 8 pts in the first half, playing tight defense, and making the extra pass to find his teammates. The Sharks as a whole played good team basketball by moving the ball around and playing solid defense. But the best they could muster up on offense was 18 pts to the G Stars 17 in the first half. The second half was also evenly fought but the G Stars just got hot with the help from BJ Macalino's 14 pts, 4/5 FTs (19 pts, 5/7 FTs for the game). Terry Eusebio was a man possessed in the second half scoring 14 pts, 2/2 FTs (22 pts for the game). And with Dennis Laxa distributing the ball and scoring (7 pts, 3/4 FTs all in the second half) the Sharks kept it close until the end but just fell short in the final minutes. NOTES: *Just 6 players showed up for the Sharks. *The G Star trend for showing up in the second half continued: 17 first half pts and 31 second half pts. I PICKED G Stars 44-36. Close again. And dont sleep on the G Stars fully assembled team. They can do some damage. |
| Semi Final B: #3 Passions 47 #2 Red Storm 41 The drama continued as the Red Storm faced a team they defeated convincingly in Week 4, the Passions. Both teams looked like they ate too much turkey during the long break. But the Passions applied a man-to-man defense early which slowed the Red Storm attack but didnt stop it. In the first half, the Red Storm's Elfner Deguia scored 8 pts, Ron Gozum hit 2 of his 3 threes, and Chev Zaporteza hit a three (finishing with 9 pts, 2/2 FTs). They entered the half with a 23-17 lead. But thats when Passions got hot on both ends of the court. Jun Madera hit 2 threes in the second half to spark a relentless comeback. But Ryan Driggers was icy from the line hitting 6/7 FTs in the second half to keep the clock running while maintaing a narrow lead (finishing with 12 pts). The Red Storm attempted to get back in the game by hoisting threes, but by now you know how that went. NOTES: *Passions did a great job defending the league's second leading scorer, Joe Flores. He had just 6 pts for the game. *The Red Storm bench was depleted without Ant Bynum and Julian Pete unable to make the game. I PICKED Red Storm over Passions 67-51. Damn... that was off. Thats cuz someone gave me some bad info. I knew Passions would win. |
| Consolation B: #6 Dope Squad 45 #5 Skyhigh 44 The second consolation game didnt disappoint with two young, athletic teams going toe-to-toe for all 40 ticks on the game clock. The game was back and forth from the jump. No one player was dominant early but each team attempted to get everybody involved in the first half with 6 of Skyhigh's 8 players scoring and 6 of 7 scoring for Dope Squad. Skyhigh went into the second half leading 20-19. The two teams were undermanned for the game but they continued to play at a fast-pace. Skyhigh's Lee Harrelson led the way by scoring 13 of his 15 pts in the second half (3/4 FTs). But Dope Squad had an answer of their own with Jerome Kubalewski punishing Skyhigh downlow for 11 of his game-high 16 pts. But his Shaq-like woes continued hitting just 2/6 FTs. Kool Aid Kauflin of Skyhigh also got in on the action (10pts, 1 three, 1/1 FTs). These guys kept it close but it was their teammates who decided the game. Dope Squad's pesky defense forced turnovers and Luscious Thompson scored 8 pts and cleaned the glass early and often. Jerome DelaCruz had a big game, getting to the line often (5/7 FT, 9 pts) including two clutch fros which put Skyhigh up by 1 pt with about 5 seconds remaining. After Dope Squad called a timeout, they inbounded the ball to Rob Corsino who dribbled the ball 3/4 of the court and penetrated the middle of the lane for a layup from the right side of the rim at the horn. Great game fellas. I PICKED Dope Squad 38-30. |
| Championships: Passions 46 United 44 The previous games built up the excitement for a barn burner. United was on the verge of winning their 8the consecutive game and the first-ever NAABL Championship. And Passions hoped to avenge a Week 2 loss to United. United set the pace by playing solid half court basketball. Playing solid interior defense. Banging inside with their big boys. And bombing from outside, hitting 4 threes in the first half (Andy Sanderson 2, Rich Corpus and Kenny Hermoso 1). 7 of United's 8 players scored in the first half displaying the team play that was successful for them during the regular season. But the Passions showed their key reason for success: riding a player when he's hot. Lucky for them both their go-to players were on fire. Jun Madera hit 8 pts, 1 three, 1/2 FTs in the first half (15 pts, 2 threes, 1/2 FTs for the game) and Ryan Driggers was the Passions leader on the court hitting 16 pts and staying near perfect from the line in the postseason going 4/4 FTs for the game (10/11 FTs in the playoffs). The game was tied at the half 24-24. In the second half United pounded the ball into Joy Arenas who stepped up and scored 10 pts, 4/5 FTs in the half (15 pts, 5/7 FTs for the game). United kept a narrow lead throughout most of the second half but the Passions captured the lead near the 3 minute mark and proceeded to eat the clock. But United kept battling to tie the game with less than a minute to play. After a Passions turnover with about 25 seconds left in the game, United made a critical error by not holding the ball for the final shot of the game. At worst they would have went into overtime. But instead they forced a shot which failed, and the Passions had the ball with just seconds left on the clock. Gary Cuaresma then proceeded to drive the ball from past half court and into the lane scoring the game winning layup. A great end to a great season. |