JEDDAH, 13 July 2007 — Logic and Cotabato Braves capped their stirring comeback in the championship playoffs by winning deciders against Caltex-Havoline and Sibuco to clinch titles in the Non Competitive Division and Inter-Maguindanao Division in the 2007 Western Union-6th UMEA-WPBL Basketball Tournament at the Ahmad Kaki Sport Complex court here.

Both late-bloomers in the best-of-three series, Logic banked on eventual MVP Jhong Melchor to beat Caltex Havoline 97-92 and the Braves brought down Sibuco77-68 in a pair of third game contests that brought another successful WPBL conference to a close on Thursday.

Melchor scored 28 points including the insurance basket that iced the win for Logic with 14 seconds left, 95-92. The Braves got the better of the seesaw battle with Sibuco and their ability to limit Sibuco center Amer to 6 points proved key to victory.

The awards ceremony followed the games. In attendance were Jess Cerbito of title sponsor Western Union who represented country manager Ameed Hamdan, marketing manager of co-sponsor Mcdonald’s, Abdulaziz Nujaifi and his assistant Yousoph Ahmad and Mohammad Bayoumi, a good friend of the Filipino community and UMEA-WPBL consultant and adviser.

WPBL chairman Camansa “Rams” Gunao expressed his thanks and gratitude to the following for their contribution in helping make the event a success: Ameed Hamdan, Jess Cerbito and Paul Antiporda (Western Union), Abdulaziz Nujaifi of McDonald’s, Ben Morales of TFC (The Filipino Channel)-ABS-CBN, Rami Khalid, manager of Ahmed Kaki Sport Complex (ORCA), Heinz-ABC, BOG referees, committee and UMEA members, Arab News, RJM Cargo Forwarders, WRJ Cargo Forwarders, Al Haddaf Sport Wears and all participating teams and companies. With Gunao in the committee are commissioner Abdulmoen (Teng) Laguialam, deputy commissioner, Edwin Tulah, technical director Abedin Gunao, secretary, Mangompia (Manny) Ulak and UMEA-President Joemar (Joe) Baganian.

Full list of awards:

Inter Commercial Reinforced Division A: Champion Unilever Sunsilk, 1st runner-up Hempel Paints, 2nd runner-up DMS Solid North, 3rd runner-up, Semacs. Best Guards Yoyong Akmad (Unilever) Rey Buhat (Hempel Paints) Best Forwards Ryan Aguam (Unilever) Jhong Agustin, Best Center & MVP Madmad Martinez (Unilever) , Best Coach, Leo Rivera

Inter Supermarket Division B: Champion Panda/Savola, 1st runner-up Alraya Store, 2nd runner-up Danube, 3rd runner-up Giant Store. Best Guards Doque Abbas (Panda) Nanding Unas (Al Raya) Best Forwards Butch Maulana (Panda), Allan Zorilla (Al Raya), Best Center Cris Andal (Panda) , Best Coach Jonar Jimenez (Panda), MVP Butch Maulana.

Non Competitive Division C: Champion Al-Essayi Logic, 1st runner-up Caltex Havoline, 2nd runner-up BTC Networks, 3rd runner-up TNT Express. Best Guards Bong Manalang (Logic) Joseph Bautista (Caltex Havoline), Best Forwards Jhong Melchor (Logic) Jun Belaras (Caltex Havoline) Best Center Cris Payumo (Logic) Best Coach Louie Patilla, (Logic) MVP Jhong Melchor.

Inter Maguindanao Division D: Champion Cotabato Braves, 1st runner-up Sibuco, 2nd runner-up Heinz- ABC, 3rd runner-up Shariff Aguak. Best Guards Badong Tawakal (Cotabato Braves) Jong Mamang (Sibuco), Best Forwards Yoyong Akmad (Cotabato Braves) Toto Abubakar (Sibuco), Best Center Khadafy Esmail (Cotabato Braves), Best Coach Joey Maliga, (Cotabato Braves) MVP Yoyong Akmad.