In a heart-stopping finale, the St. Cecilia's College (SCC) Maestros from Minglanilla etched their names into history as the inaugural champions of the Metro Cebu Collegiate Basketball League (MCCBL). The team secured the title with a dramatic 80-78 victory over Talisay City College in the championship game held at the Cordova Sports Complex on Mactan Island last Saturday, December 13, 2025.
A Championship Forged in the Final Seconds
The title clash lived up to its billing, delivering a back-and-forth battle that kept a lively crowd at the edge of their seats until the final buzzer. The intensity peaked in the last two minutes, with both teams exchanging crucial baskets. Talisay City College's Adrian Gumamong sank two free throws with 2:11 remaining, narrowing the gap to a single point at 76-75.
St. Cecilia's responded when Joseph Alicaya Jr. converted a layup off an assist from Allen Cabradilla, pushing their lead to 78-75 with just 40.2 seconds on the clock. After a timeout, Talisay's Kent Mag-aso delivered a clutch three-pointer to tie the game at 78-all with 26.7 seconds left.
However, the Maestros had the final say. On the ensuing play, Patrick John Dobleros inbounded the ball to Alicaya, who drove in and sank a floating jumper with a mere 4.1 seconds remaining. Talisay's last attempt to force overtime was thwarted by SCC's suffocating defense, causing a turnover and triggering wild celebrations among the Minglanilla supporters.
Key Performers and Historic Honors
The league's first-ever Most Valuable Player award was bestowed upon St. Cecilia's standout, Patrick John Dobleros. He led his team's charge with a stellar stat line of 20 points, five assists, and one rebound. The hero of the final shot, Joseph Alicaya Jr. For the valiant runners-up from Talisay City College, Ruel Barliso posted a massive double-double with 19 points and 16 rebounds. He was ably supported by Kent Mag-aso and Elmar Tuburan, who scored 15 and 16 points respectively. The four-day tournament, which served as a dry run for the newly established league, was founded by Cordova Councilor Remar Baguio. The successful staging of the championship game marks a significant milestone for collegiate basketball in Metro Cebu, promising more exciting competitions in the future. The MCCBL trophy was formally awarded to the St. Cecilia's College Maestros by league commissioner Jerry Capacio during the post-game rites, cementing their place as the league's first titleholders.Launch of a New Cebu Basketball Era
