CORPORATE INTERMEDIATE DIVISION FINALS PREVIEW: MERALCO, IBM WILL TUSSLE FOR THE COVETED INTERMEDIATE LEVEL CROWN

IBM, will gun for back-to-back titles after winning the Corporate Recreational championship last year, and now within reach of another one - this time on a higher level.

Meralco Energy on the other hand, is now a win away from a championship they've desperately worked for and are within reach of completely achieving their ultimate goal since making the jump this year to the Corporate Intermediate Division.

Back in June 2, 2019 (Sunday) at The Upper Deck Lifestyle Center, IBM escaped Meralco in their first meeting in thrilling fashion, 83-81. Bien Villamayor notched the player of the game honors in the win with 15 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. But it was Denilo Alba's last second short stab buzzer-beater that gave IBM their first victory in the elimination round.

Team Analysis

Pick your poison with IBM's multi-talented roster:

Stop one of their gunners, another one or even two will kill you with their offensive prowess. Anyone in their roster can deliver the goods. Chemistry has never been an issue for IBM, and it's no more evident in their title run back in 2018. It's a puzzle that not even the top team in the intermediate level, was able to solve as they bowed to this unpredictable squad.

IBM will march on to their second straight finals appearance after winning last year's recreational title. Finishing the elimination round as the fourth seed, but they weren't fazed at all in going up against SMDC-Moldex in the knockout semifinals.

The underdogs pulled off an upset win over the top seeded team via 78-74 gutsy comeback victory, behind a late fourth quarter rally that changed the game for good. Bien Villamayor dropped 15 points, eight boards, and five dimes. Wade Ventic had nine points, 10 rebounds while Anton Gregorio finished with a game-high 23 points as they punch a finals ticket.

Meralco Energy's calibrated roster:

In their decent run back in the 2018 Recreational Division tournament, Meralco Energy relied heavily on season most valuable player - Marco Pulo Balinang. His leadership and all-around play enabled the team to reach the semifinals of the said tourney. This time around, Paulo has plenty of help which he has enjoyed in all of their elimination round games.

With new players such as big man Mark Puspus and David Guhiting changing their fortunes, the team finished the regular season with a 4-2 win-loss card. Both Puspus and Guhiting are in the top 15 in each of the statistical leader race of the Corporate Intermediate Division.

The retooled squad knocked off a dangerous Wells Fargo team in the semifinals. Mark Puspus continued to live up to his surname, and relentlessly worked for Meralco as he finished with another monster double-double of 16 points and 24 rebounds to help propel his team with a close win and clinch the last finals berth.

Their finals clash for the Corporate Intermediate Division crown will take place at the historic The Upper Deck Lifestyle Center (East) on August 4, 2019 (Sunday) at 2:30pm.