Levi Hernandez lifts Pampanga to NBL trophy

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

Levi Hernandez was a man on a mission all game long after carrying the Pampanga Delta against the tough La Union PAOwer, 76-68, to nab the National Basketball League (NBL) Season 3 Black Arrow Express-President’s Cup championship.

The former PBA player fired from all cylinders and top-scored the game with 24 points including dazzling finishes underneath and deep treys.

Hernandez’s monster performance also garnered him the NBL Finals Most Valuable Player Award after averaging 17 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.3 steals in the finals.

Jayson Apolonio tried to answer for his team but couldn’t overcome the surging Pampanga team despite his 21-point production.

It was a tightly-contested grudge match in the first three quarters but Hernandez, Mark Tamayo, and Michael Juico sparked an offensive run in the final frame to give the Delta a comfortable lead.

With the NBL men’s basketball bubble season over, the participating teams are already looking to improve their roster and will try to snatch the coveted title away from Pampanga.