As fate would have it, the Final Four Teams in The DUB League Volume 3.0 Playoffs had the same core as the ones who had been in the Championship Round the past 2 seasons.
Kambing Inc is currently led by Jeffrey Duria and his BFF, Ronnie Tallud. Jeffrey Duria and Von Pagdanganan won the championship together in Volume 1.0 back in 2022 – under the team name SEMIPRO – a tribute to Will Ferrell’s movie of basketball misfits and old dudes. Jeff won the championship along with the Filomeno’s (Bhon, Brian, Raffy) who are now currently in the Senior Citizens. Another piece of that championship team was Devan Mesa, who has grown his game quietly this season and a spark plug for the Kuya Cats. Paolo Olea played for The Barakos team in Volume 2.0 where they lost to the eventual champion Kuya Cats. James Bandolon, Mike Apaga, and Neil Cristobal provide the scrappy and physical game that benefits the Kambing very well. Andrei Malacapay and Robin Tallud also provide solid contributions complimenting Jeffrey and Ronnie. The biggest surprise for the team is Bombi Toves – who had been balling like there is no tomorrow this season giving the Kambings a dynamic attack offensively.
Kuya Cats, last season’s champions, is looking to prove that they can win it all without Juan Gutierrez who is now playing for the Grumpy Old Men. Gil Mandabon and CJ Luna assembled a cast of athletic guards in Renz Villanueva, Cy Real, and Dillon Pineda who are solid either off the bench or as starters. The ‘Cats also boasts a young core with Devan Mesa and Matea Mandabon who are both standouts in their school teams. Do not count Frank Mesa and Mohammed Karim who are beasts in the paint and provide the physical presence for the ‘Cats. The last but not the least is Frankie Mesa. The 6’5″ behemoth stands over any big man in the league. He is also out to prove that he can help the team win again this season.
Meanwhile, the Senior Citizens, are currently on a spicy hot streak with Juan Gutierrez leading the team. Orlando Glory, the Pinoy Black Mamba, got picked in the offseason to shore up the Senior Citizens rotation. Sharpshooter Aaron Cua who was separated from his Splash Brother – Aldrich Acuna will soon found himself facing him in their Semifinals Game. Ever reliable Lito Matildo, Bhon Filomeno, Arvin Dela Cruz provides the Seniors the much needed veteran presence while Raffy, Brian, and Ahwin provide the youthful support. The biggest surprise, however, is Angelo Dela Cruz who was very spicy off the 3 point line hitting clutch 3 point shots in their last 3 games including last week’s playoffs against the Underdogs. This may come as a surprise but I believe that Juan Gutierrez is also out to show that he can win it all with the current team and hoping to face off the ‘Cats in the Championship game to settle once and for all who were the Top G in this league.
Among the teams, the Astig Boys, has the biggest chip on their shoulders. They were in the Championship Game against the Semi Pros in Volume 1.0 where they were dominated. They fell short in the Final Four in Volume 2.0 and consequently lose Aaron Cua in the offseason shuffle. The Astigs were able to reload with Rommel Calaguas, Noel Bagalso, and Chris B addition complimenting Aldrin and Aldrich Acuna. Father and Son, Tito and Phoenix, are also solid additions to the team who are currently having a revival of games from Mitchell Salas who has been very nimble and quick footed this season. Jesse Roque as always provides the veteral presense needed by the team to compete. Perhaps, the biggest addition for the team was the former #1 overall pick of Volume 2.0, Cris Dapon, who had a shaky first couple of games before finding his stride in this team. Ads Acuna also picked up a couple of tips from Aldrich with regards to shooting from the 3 point area as he had been scorching hot the last few games.
Perhaps the biggest questions for The DUB League Volume 3.0 Championship Weekend are:
Will this Championship validates Jeffrey Duria and the Kambings domination over the other teams this season?
Will the ‘Cats be able to repeat as Champions without the dynamic Juan Gutierrez?
Can the Senior Citizens win it all with the current cast led by Juan Gutierrez and perhaps, stop being Grumpy Old Men?
Is the window closing for Aldrin Acuna, Aldrich Acuna and the Astigs for basketball immortality?
Too many questions to answer and too little time to go.