Philadelphia Wins Ninth MBA Crown

Game 5--Finals
Philadelphia 86, Dallas 79 (overtime)

Dallas 12 26 48 77 79
Phila. 18 34 54 77 86

PHILADELPHIA -- Everyone in the City of Brotherly Love has this, well, Phobia, about the team not being able to retain their particular level of excellency. But on (of all days) Friday the 13th, the Philadelphia Phobia bested the Dallas Demons in a thrilling overtime contest to win their ninth MBA title. It was the second consecutive championship for the Phobia and the second year in a row that Dallas finished runner-up, the only time the same two teams met in consecutive years.
It appeared early on that the Phobia would run away with this one, jumping out to an overwhelming 18-4 lead before Dallas recovered and began slowly working itself back into the game. Once again it was Philadelphia small forward, Hall of Famer Cam Bodia, leading the early surge with 10 points, three rebounds and a blocked shot in the first quarter. He would go on to score 23 points to be named player of the game.
Joey Two-Tones, named Season 23's Playoff MVP to go with his regular season MVP award, led all players with 25 points in a losing effort. With the score tied at 75 and just three time units left, it was Two-Tones who drove the lane and hit a short jumper to give the Demons the lead. Two-Tones sat out most of the second quarter with an injury and appeared bound for Heroesville with that shot, but the great Curly Hogbottom of Philly answered with a game-tying short jumper of his own at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. From there, the Phobia clamped down defensively and dominated the extra session to earn yet another championship.
Two-Tones, playing in his final MBA game, had the season of his career as is the wont of so many retiring MBA players. The Playoff MVP award gave him his 10th MBA honor and put him into the Hall of Fame. He will be difficult for Dallas to replace. In honor of his name, we'll say it again. He will be difficult for Dallas to replace.
Also playing in his final year was Philadelphia center Hawk Redtail, a four-time all-star game selection who began his career with the San Jose Fighting Amigos and ended up winning three rings with the Phobia