Oro's Abucejo leads PSA Houston to US hoops victory, bags MVP
SIX championship wins, including back-to-back triumphs with Junior LIMO team and another back-to-back Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in 47-up division.
That's how productive Cagayan de Oro hoops icon Jamewill "Baby James" Abucejo in his three-year stay in the United States.
Just recently, the former Ballpals president Abucejo defied age when he led his team Grandmaster PSA Houston to victory over Realty Homes, 40-39, to capture the 47 and Above Division title of the Greater Houston Filipino Basketball Association held at the Pearland Recreational Center in Pearland Houston, Texas, USA.
The 49-year-old Abucejo, formerly with Cebu's South Western University (SWU) Cobras, Philippine Christian University Dophins and Liceo de Cagayan Titans, powered his Grandmaster PSA Houston team to victory with pressure-packed freethrows after fishing a foul off penetration play.
Abucejo finished with 25 points in the nail-biting contest which was close from start to finish. The Grandmaster PSA Houston led by only two points, 24-22 at the half.
BB James' efforts were good enough to win the MVP award which was handled to him by tournament commissioner Ferdie Villanueva of Greater Houston Filipino Basketball Association.
"Dako kaayo nakong pasalamat sa among fellow Filipino team manager, Boss Junior Villanueva of Junior Limo sa iyang pagsalig. Siya ang among inspirasyon dire," Abucejo told SunStar Cagayan de Oro via Facebook messaging.
Grandmaster PSA Houston swept the elimination round beating RGV Pinoy, Filhoops, and the former UC Webmaster Lito Tagsip led Realty Homes which finished second in the elims to secure a seat in the finals.
Abucejo was dominant in the championship as he was the only player to finish in double figure numbers.
Alvin Adap and Enan Rodriguez chipped in six and five points, respectively. Conrad Clemente led Realty Homes with six points in the low-scoring match up.
Abucejo is now based in Houston Texas since 2017 but has not stopped his passion for basketball, keeping himself fit and competing.
He is married to registered nurse Irish Sanchez Abucejo whom he has two daughters in 11-year-old Sofia and three-year-old Scye Halona.
Other members of the Grandmaster PSA Houston team are Bien Amistoso, Felino Sangel, Erwin Velasquez, Carlo Curiano, James Enacio, Jaypee Pahudpod, Luiz Abenir, Mark Caranto, Rhoel Zoleta, Rodney Villadiego, and Junior Villanueva. Coaching the team were Bob Boado, James Enecio, and Rhoel Zoleta.
How they scored:
GRANDMASTER PSA HOUSTON (40) -- BB James Abucejo 25, Alvin Adap-6, Enan Rodriguez 5, Bien Amistoso 2 ,Felino Sangel 2, Erwin Velasquez 0, Carlo Curiano 0, James Enacio 0, Jaypee Pahudpod 0, Luiz Abenir 0, Mark Caranto 0, Rhoel Zoleta 0, Rodney Villadiego 0, Junior Villanueva 0.
REALTY HOMES (39) -- Conrad Clemente 6, Paul Gaviola 5, Jojo Sarmiento 4, Raymond Escallan 3, Lito Tagsip 2, Bernard Bernardo 2, Jun Garcia 2, Zaldy Gatchalian 1, Nestor Duremdez 0.