PAO, NBI share lead
Games today, July 12, at Gamma Farm Gym:
6:30 pm—Eagles vs Ruffians
7:30 pm—NBI-10 vs PAO
THE Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Defenders joined the National Bureau Investigation Region 10 (NBI-10) in the leader board of the ongoing 2018 Travelers Invitational Basketball League here.
This, after PAO Defenders posted their second straight win at the expense of CVL Maguindanao, 53-36 on Thursday’s curtain raiser match held at 4th Infantry Division Gym in Barangay Patag.
Monchit Collera fired 15 points to lead the Defenders, while John Salva and Jog-Jog Dingal chipped in 12 and 8 markers, respectively.
The Defenders made a fierce start with a 19-6 run in the first quarter and padded it to 15-point margin at the close of the half, 29-14.
PAO even had their biggest lead at 17, but felt a scare in the next quarter.
CVL threatened to erase the deficit after Ferdinand Linaac ignited a rally with a 3-point bomb in the first two minutes of the final fourth period.
But, they could only close by a 10-point gap in the last five minutes of the ballgame and allowed the Defenders to step on the gas and never looked back.
Team captain RJ Yacapin finished with 12 points in CVL Maguindanao’s losing cause, while Linaac added 11.
“Kulang sab kami atong dula tungod sab aha mao ang uban nga saligando namo wala diha,” said Yacapin, who thanked their sponsors Nobles Seafoods and Grill, Barra Opol chairman Jun Otacan and team manager Gerbie Gabutan.
PAO and NBI-10 both tote a 2-0 win-loss card, but they will dispute the solo leadership in the last game tonight at 7:30 pm.
“We are happy in our second win and hope we could keep it up especially we are in a collision course against NBI-10,” said lawyer Neil Sabundong, who is PAO’s team captain.
In the second game, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Misamis Oriental Chapter (IBP-MisOr) Lawyers rebounded from their first round loss after defeating CVL/MAC/ COM/COS via 50-31 victory.
Before they collide, lawyer Robbie James Yparaguirre of IBP MisOr received an early warning via text message that CVL had their eyes on him.
But, CVL/MAC’s defensive prepareation against Yparaguirre did not work out as he soared with 12 points with two three-point bombs in the first quarter to lead the Lawyers.
“Natingala lang ko kay gibabagan ko sa akong strong side sa tuo mao nga nag-shift ko sa wala apan nagpasalamat ko nga my teammates delivered also,” said Yparaguirre.
IBP’s center-forward Roell Valledor and Nasif Abaton chipped in 10 and 8 markers, respectively.
Web Bajenio also led CVL/MAC with 12 points, but they played without Melber Alinas, who finished 16 points with four treys in their opening game last week. 1st Game PAO 53—Collera 15, Salva 12, Dingal 8, Casimero 6, Rafael M. 6, Llego 2, Sumondong 2, Jabines 2, Gaya 0, Bana 0, Uy 0
CVL Maguindanao 36—Yacapin 12, Linaac 11, Dungca 6, Paje 6, Uroda 3, Baguio 0, Gabutan 0 2nd Game IBP MisOr 50—Yparaguirre 12, Valledor 10, Abaton 8, Bartolome 7, Bonete 6, Garcia 6, Barsaga 2
CVL-MAC 31---Bajenio 12, Pacuribot B 5, Awing 4, Gabut 3, Gabe 2, Pacuribot J 2, Galendez 0, Pacatang 0, Pacuribot N 0, Ursal 0.
Jaime A Frias II