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The Top 10 Moments of the PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup
By Jonas Terrado (February 18, 2009)

The 2009 PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup showed once more why Harbour Centre is one of the greatest dynasties that the league has ever seen. But it wasn't all just about the Batang Pier as several other intriguing stories happened during the season-opening tournament.

From emerging teams, to surprising rookies, to the revival of a women's league, the first conference had several moments that we can look back on.

10. School tie-ups

Once a forgotten practice, several PBL teams reacquainted themselves with the top schools from the UAAP and NCAA in hopes of boosting their performance this conference.

It had mixed results for several teams, though. Burger King was a decent quarterfinalist despite a number of players coming from NCAA champion San Beda while Hapee didn't even got the core of the UAAP titlist Ateneo (although Chris Tiu would eventually suit up for the team).

But for Harbour Centre and Bacchus Energy Drink, it was beneficial. The Batang Pier won their sixth straight crown behind a number of Far Eastern University players while the Energy Warriors placed third thanks to several University of the East cagers.

The conference also saw a number of games held in campuses like San Beda College, Emilio Aguinaldo College and Arellano University, among others.

9. Rookies galore

With the league trimming its age-limit to 25 years old, the conference saw 41 rookies competing in the league's first conference. While many spent their time on the bench, some of them performed like seasoned veterans.

Take for example Pharex's Chris Ross, the top pick who became one of the most productive players in the league, Harbour's Mark Barroca, who was named as the Finals Most Valuable Player, they showed that they belong in the PBL despite the lack of experience in the commercial ranks.

8. Hapee survives draft-day nightmare

Hapee thought they would have the core of the Ateneo team that captured the UAAP crown last September for the upcoming conference. But alas, the tie-up didn't materialize and the Complete Protectors, which already lost Gabe Norwood to the pros, were forced to pick several unproven, yet talented names during the rookie draft.

While Tiu would later join the team of head coach Gee Abanilla (see below), Hapee put up a solid effort to grab a share of third place with Bacchus by the end of the tourney.

Former UST star Jervy Cruz, who missed out a chance to tandem with Rabeh Al-Hussaini, became one of the top contenders for the coveted Best Player award while rookies Lance Convento and Fil Am Josh Vanlandingham were able to deliver in clutch situations. The disaster on draft night turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Lamoiyan franchise.

7. Pharex: Comeback Kids

At first, head coach Carlo Tan was enduring a nightmare during the first round, as the Generix lost all six games of the first round and were on the verge of getting an early vacation. Back then, they were in dire need of a prescription (no pun intended).

But a win over Harbour Centre was the right prescription they got. Riding on that win, they would eventually register a four-game winning run to reach the quarterfinals past the skidding Toyota Otis Sparks behind the one-man show of Ross. The Generix then pushed Hapee to the limit before their semis bid was cut short in the end.

While the former Marshall University standout was the vital cog in the team's sudden rise, big man JR Gerilla and Ian Saladaga were among the players that made significant roles during the streak.

6. Chris Tiu finally plays

The scribes and even Hapee officials themselves were frequently asking this question during the course of the tournament - when will Chris Tiu play?

That answer came in the knockout quarters match when he played a mini role in Hapee's elimination of Pharex. He would later play three games but wasn't able to lead the Complete Protectors past the favored Harbour Centre in the semifinals.

His entry to the league added some attraction into the league as fans came into droves to watch him play. They even stay at the arenas several minutes after the game just to see the charismatic Ateneo guard.

5. Bacchus becomes a contender

For years, Bacchus has been considered as the whipping boys of the PBL. But this conference, they suddenly burst into one of the top contenders in the league.

After a slow start, the Energy Warriors later emerged as an unlikely semifinalist before falling short to Magnolia Purewater in a grueling best-of-five series, ending their hopes of reaching the finals for the first time in franchise history.

During the conference, several players stepped up like James Martinez, Pari Llagas, Jan Colina, Orlando Daroya and of course Lee (see below).

4. WPBL: A league of their own (returns)

After a 10-year absence, the Women's Philippine Basketball League made its return with 10 teams joining the league's initial conference.

The tournament enabled a number of players from the UAAP, WNCAA and the provincial ranks to show their wares while several veteran cagebelles resumed their halted basketball careers.

After a successful staging, the PBL plans to put up future tournaments in order to boost awareness to women's basketball and the national team program.

3. "Gandang Panalo ng Ever Bilena"

Ever Bilena was the only team to even win the WPBL crown in its original run in the late-1990's. Fast-forward to 2008, the Gandang Pinay rose with the prettiest reward of the revived league.

Led by reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player Marichu Bacaro, Rem Buenacosa and Cebuana standout Aiumi Ono, they were unstoppable during the elimination round before securing the title with a sweep of Smart Buddy-UP.

The win was the team's third title overall - all coached by former UP Maroon Pat Aquino - with the all-around Bacaro winning the coveted MVP plum.

2. The rise of Paul Lee

In the UAAP, he was playing behind the shadows of Marcy Arellano and James Martinez despite proving at times that he can take over the game on his own.

But in his debut run in the PBL, the former San Sebastian Staglet exploded as one of the league's best players, averaging 15.1 points that saw him hit a number of 20-point games, and was the cornerstone of Bacchus' third-place finish this conference.

Lee's impressive showing earned him the Best Player of the Conference award, beating the likes of Cruz, Rico Maierhofer, Ross and Neil Raneses.

1. Happy ending for six-peat Batang Pier

What a perfect way to say goodbye.

Harbour Centre cemented themselves as one of the greatest teams of all-time, winning its sixth straight championship at the expense of a 3-1 win over Magnolia in the finals.

Unlike in the past, the Batang Pier fielded 10 rookies, led by Barroca and several of his teammates from FEU, and to compliment veterans Reed Juntilla, Maierhofer and Jerwin Gaco. Still, they were unstoppable as ever, posting the best record after the double-round elims, then swept Hapee in the semis en route to title.

With Harbour's name and jersey gone starting next conference, R2 Builders will have a huge task of succeeding the legacy left by its predecessors.

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