M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City (2008 Sinulog Cup)
The Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) was a community-based amateur commercial basketball league in Southern Philippines sanctioned by the country's National Sports Association for basketball, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). The league is made up of teams from the Visayas and Mindanao. Formal operations began on February 25, 2006 with the opening of the ML Kwarta Padala First Conference at the MSU-IIT Gym in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. Forward Mark Bonifacio of Montana Pawnshop-Davao made the first basket in league history during the opening game versus PacMan-GenSan.
The league is a brainchild of multi-titled coach and Cebu City Councilor Raul "Yayoy" D. Alcoseba, who wanted to have a Vis-Min league managed by Vis-Min people and based in the area. With the financial backing of sports patron Michel J. Lhuillier, the dream became a reality in late 2005 as Alcoseba and his staff began the groundwork by talking to potential team owners and sponsors.
Former FIBA referee Jose "Boy" Murillo and PBA legend Wilfredo "Willy" Generalao were named as the MVBA's two co-equal commissioners, with Murillo in charge of the Visayas games and Generalao in Mindanao. Gov. Oscar S. Moreno, team owner of Misamis Oriental, was unanimously elected as the MVBA's Chairman.
The league holds two long tournaments or conferences every season. In between, a sprinkling of brief tournaments are held either as a warm-up for the coming conference or in honor of a special occasion.
2005
Gov. Gwen Garcia Cup: PacMan-GenSan
2006
Mayor Lawrence Cruz Cup: M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City
First Conference: M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City
Invitational: M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City
Second Conference: M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City
2007
Gov. Oscar Moreno Cup: M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City
Cebu City Charter Cup: Heartvit-Tribu Guardo
First Conference: Holcim Pryce Pharma-MisOr
Invitational: M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City
Hotel Fortuna Cup: Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue
Second Conference: M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City
Christmas League: M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City
The MVBA is proud that several of its alumni have made it to the professional Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Aside from rookies, several free agents have received their second chance at pro stardom after credible performances in the MVBA. This listing is limited to those players who saw action in the regular conferences.
2006
Jimwell Torion (Landmaster) - Santa Lucia Realtors
Stephen Padilla (M. Lhuillier) - Air21 Express
Ernesto Billones (Landmaster) - Talk 'N Text Phone Pals
The MVBA games are broadcast via UHF station Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN-47) daily at 3:30PM, Philippine Standard Time. The station's signal covers most of the Visayas and parts of Northern Mindanao. The MVBA broadcast panel is a combination of veteran and up and coming commentators led by Sandi Geronimo-Grumo, Randy Sacdalan, Anthony Servinio, John Montalvan and Brian Madronero.
Aside from television, the MVBA enjoys good print coverage from both local and national newspapers, tabloids and magazines. An official league website is in the works for 2008. For the moment, the MVBA has maintained a deal with Gameface.Ph as its official Internet media partner since 2006.
Philippines
