Manchester Ballers' Association

The Sunday 45+ League is officially back at the MBA, and Week 1 gave us three very different games to kick off the season. From a three-point rivalry game to a dominant performance from a familiar MVP, there was plenty to take away from the opening week.

GAME OF THE WEEK: Max Value Payments 39, Dempsey Financial Group 36

In the forever rivalry between Gooding Jamal and Billy Sica, Jamal gets the first small victory of the season as Max Value Payments held on for a 39-36 win.

Points were hard to come by, but Andrew Cahoon led the way for Max Value with 12 points, while Jamal and Lacy Shine Price each added 8. Dempsey was led by league MVP Greg Randolph, aka The Professor, who dropped 14 points. Billy Sica and Brian Huckins each added 10.

Three points separate these teams after Week 1. We have a feeling this won’t be the last time these two squads battle it out.

Pete’s Painting 57, Team Link 45

Captain Peter Joffre has to be feeling pretty good about his squad after Week 1. Pete’s Painting looked sharp from the opening tip and picked up a 12-point win over Team Link.

The dynamic duo of Felix James and Miller, aka Tammy Beleski, did most of the damage, combining for 44 points with 22 apiece. That’s a tough combination to stop – and if both continue putting up numbers like that, Pete’s is going to be a tough matchup.

Team Link had a balanced attack, with four players finishing between 7 and 11 points. John Six led the way with 11, followed by Patrick Morris and Alex Pinzon with 8 each and Hans Edward with 7.

Embrace Home Loans 45, Cellular Freedom 28

Embrace Home Loans cruised to a 17-point victory to open the season, and captain Bobby McCarron has to like what he saw from his group.

Former league MVP Anthony Forshay led all scorers with 22 points, while Dave Krausse and McCarron each added 8. Cellular Freedom was led by Edgardo Velez with 9 points, while captain Ant Lyt finished with 7.

It’s only Week 1, and Cellular has plenty of guys capable of turning things around. But Embrace came out looking like a team ready to make a run.

Three games down, and the Sunday 45+ League is already giving us plenty to talk about. The season is just getting started.