Strange things happened in 1999. You know that climactic scene in The Matrix where Neo stopped bullets mid-flight, effortlessly blocked punches, then went on to destroy Agent Smith from within? That’s what the 1999 Manila Metrostars did to the MBA.
The Metrostars couldn’t do no wrong that year, thanks to a powerhouse lineup led by two of the league’s biggest stars: Alex Compton and Rommel Adducul.
The Louie Alas-helmed team deployed equal amounts of flash (Compton, Gilbert Demape, Augustus Brown) and muscle (Adducul, Ruben dela Rosa, Peter Martin) to win 22 straight games–the longest winning streak in Philippine basketball history.
The superb run was no fluke. They had to defeat the reigning champs Pampanga Dragons–a team that had Bong Alvarez and Estong Ballesteros–in the quarterfinals, Bong Ravena’s Pasig-Rizal Pirates in the semis, and Dondon Hontiveros’ Cebu Gems in the finals.
In Game 5 of the finals series, Hontiveros dropped 45 points against Compton’s 39 in an epic triple overtime thriller. But when the smoke cleared, the Cebu Coliseum looked like a crime scene, and the Metrostars still came out with the win. Alas was coach of the year; Compton was named MVP; and the Metrostars clinched the title in Game 6 to cap off the historic season.
THE ROSTER: Rommel Adducul, Gilbert Demape, Don Camaso, Alex Compton, Augustus Brown, Nestor Echano, Ruben dela Rosa, Peter Martin, June Longalong, Jonathan Serrano, Frechie William Ang
ADDUCUL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLDRDfdv1zA
After dominating the MBA, Adducul found success in international play and in the PBA–bringing home two titles for Ginebra in 2004 and 2005.
DEMAPE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QIfbx1oxjk
Demape also took his talents to the PBA, where he was named to the Second Mythical Team in 2002.
BROWN
Brown won a title, returned to the US, and pursued a career in banking. He is now president at BC Finance Group in Atlanta. Wait, what?
CAMASO
After his MBA stint, Camaso became the ultimate hugot go-to guy. He played for Talk ‘N Text and Red Bull in the PBA; for Brunei Barracudas in the ABL; and for Judiciary Magis in the UNTV Cup.
COMPTON
The MBA had a number of stars, but Compton was no doubt the face of the league. He is also the face of MBA2K17.
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