championship ring, but he may still have to find room in his personal trophy cabinet for a valuable piece of silverware.

The Harrisburg Heat had their run at the National Professional Soccer League title halted at the first hurdle when they were swept 2-0 by the Philadelphia KiXX. However, the Bermudian forward stands as a leading candidate for the league's Most Valuable Player award.

Bascome enjoyed a banner year, playing in all 40 regular season games and scoring 128 points, second only to Gino DiFlorio among Heat players and sixth overall.

He further distinguished himself as one of the best two-way players, notching a team leading 61 blocks.

Both DiFlorio and head coach Richard Chinapoo recently sang the praises of Bascome, noting his great contribution to the franchise's success this year.

"I honestly believe that if he is not the MVP this season there's an injustice in this league,'' said Chinapoo, a former star for the Baltimore Blast, vaunted rivals of the Heat. "So I would think that he would get it, that's my gut feeling.

"I think in David's situation this is probably his best year as a complete player, as someone who comes in and sparks the team at the right time, sacrifices defensively if he has to do that. I mean, he has over 60 blocks and has also scored some big goals for us.

"His attitude, his confidence level is definitely up there, and that comes from chemistry. That comes from going through some rough times with the guys that you're playing with, and having people believing in you ... people saying, `Hey, now it's your time David, do something'. He's responded along with many other players on this team and has performed for us in big games.

"He's put up good numbers and is one of the, if not the best two-way players in the league right now. And the key to that is his attitude towards the game.

His attitude in practice. His attitude towards his team-mates.'' DiFlorio echoed his coach, noting the consistency displayed throughout the year on both sides of the ball by his friend and team-mate.

"When a guy can go both ways and score 50-some goals and get 60-some blocks and end up with 130 points you've got to give it to the man,'' said DiFlorio.

"And the way our record is this year he's definitely got my vote.'' Posters around Farm Show Arena depicting Bascome with the letters M.V.P.

emblazoned underneath further emphasised the consensus, and while Bascome was reluctant to speak regarding his chances, the tide of emotion appears in his favour.