Hubalde makes sure Classic keep chin up

Now more than ever, Paolo Hubalde knows he has to lead by example as Valenzuela-Carga Backload winds up another disappointing season in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

So when Valenzuela played its final home game of the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season last Friday night, Hubalde took it upon himself to carry the fight as the Classic turned back also-ran Rizal Golden Coolers, 81-77, at a jampacked Valenzuela Astrodome.

“I always tell my teammates, even when we’re losing, to cherish every moment of our basketball journey because there are always lessons in life and in basketball,” said Hubalde, who finished with a season-high 27 points to go with nine rebounds and four assists.

Even when the losses piled up, Valenzuela still drew sellout crowds at the astrodome and it was no different in the Classic’s final home game of the season.

“We have one of the best crowds in the MPBL,” said Hubalde, after Valenzuela improved to 11-16.

Valenzuela actually got off to a strong start, winning four of its first five games, before changing coaches three times. Ronjay Enrile now handles the team.

1Bataan-Camaya Coast earlier slipped past Navotas-Unipak, 81-78, for its third straight win. The Risers, who got an unlikely lift from former Cebu forward EJ Llanto with 18 points, raised their record to 17-9, just half a game behind the Bulacan Kuyas for home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.