No `Orange joy’ in Ballpals 2019 Anniversary Games
PULSATING finishes marked the finale of the 2019 Ballpals Anniversary Games as Team Orange shortly failed in both the 39-below and 45-up championships of the Congressman Rufus Rodriguez-backed tourney concluded, over the weekend , at brgy. 40’s covered court in Cagayan de Oro City.
Team Gray of the club’s own version of the Splash Brothers in Shian Galanida and Joseph Sumanga defeated Team Orange fronted by Buting Acaylar and Bobong Cabatuan with a score of 77-72 to take the 39-below crown. While Team Black of WingMark Mercado and Archer Lingaton emerged as civic champion anew after a thrilling 67-64 escape at the hands of Team Orange skippered this time around by Japan-based center-forward Joven Shimomae.
“Thrilling kaayo ang mga dula breaks of the game lang gyod nagdaug,” said tournament commissioner Andit Mendoza.
The 39-below Orange’s victory finally snapped the jinx that hounded Galanida, who after winning the MVP during the club’s Kuya Ed open age tournament some years ago, had failed to carry his teams to the playoff, even ending up without a win in at least two-season campaign when Ballpals games were still held at brgy 24 covered court.
“Swerte si Shian sa iyang team karon kay mora’g first time nahitabo sa 39-below nga magkasinabot na gyod sila sa iyang mga kauban,” one fellow Ballpal said.
In the civic division championship, Team Black had more fresher legs to field on the floor such as ertswhile MVP Janjan Arcaya, Michael Pamisa and Andit Sacabin.
They finished the first quarter with 2-point lead behind the productive effort of underated guard Joel `Jodaps’ Jadap. But Shimomae controlled the boards and Stev Panaz scored 10 points for Orange in the next frame to level the score at the half.
The Orange dribblers, reinforced by ageless centers Larry Bagayna, `GAT’ Tamayo and Vulture Balabat, smell upset in the final half but could not just get the needed offense from the pair of
Nanding Abapo and Balong Mabalot.
It was still a see-saw match down to the final 2 minutes of the ballgame when the latearriving Kid Escobido struck like a dagger, dishing off clutch baskets including a hurried baseline jumper off two Orange defenders to give Team Black another titular celebration.
“Gawas adtong sa corner nga second na lang pag release nako sa bola, daghan chance nga mabakante ko mao nga naka-contribute ta sa scoring,” Escobido later told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.