White snaps Black's five-game win streak

Friday, October 28, 2011

ON WEDNESDAY's preview of the finals, the White Stallions finally succeeded in putting a blot to the Black Hawks' unbeaten record via a 75-70 finish in the exciting 1st Oro Bankers Inter-Color basketball tourney at the Nazareth gym here.

White's 1-2 punch Stephen Go and PJ Sanchez tallied 30 and 25 points each as they presided over a blistering offense beginning in the third quarter.

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"They just caught us in our off-night," said the amazing Charome Marte whose 3-pointer in the 4:32 mark of the 4th and final quarter had right away drove White into panic, prompting the emotional coach Manny Diaz to call for an immediate timeout.

"Pang momentum na unta kadto kay down to six points na lang ilang labaw," said White's starting pointguard Governor Oscar Moreno.

With the first final slot already secured, Black's intention of sweeping the double elimination round matches was put into question when leading scorer Jet Yaranon, arguably the fastest guy in the league, suffered a pulled muscle on his left leg midway of the third quarter and did not return into action.

Playing in just his first game for Black, marathoner Ritchell Banaag surprised White when he sizzled for 12 points in the first quarter.

"Nag-apil ko'g 42K run sa Camarines Sur mao nga karon pa ko kadula," Banaag told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Mon Collera, who once topped Black with 20 points, also added 6 in the third frame after missing his team's last two games.

"Pero dili lage sila makapilde sa amo. Na-tsambahan lang `mi sa first round. Black Hawks down gyod ang labas ani," said one of White's backcourt guys.

The Red Typhoon earlier tried its darnest best to score its first win with Paolo Ostrea (21), Ray Gica (21), Cris "Bombot" Padilla (20) and Ryan Arpay (18) all scoring in double-digit numbers.

But the Blue Titans, who got 31, 12 and 10 markers apiece from Marvin Luke Neri, Erwin Raagas and Ray Melitante, hang tough in the final minute of the ballgame to prevail, 83-81.

"Wala gyod `mi katilaw og daug. Sa fighting for third na lang `mi mobawi," Padilla warned.

Tournament director Arnel DyShines said the best-of-3 finals will start on the first Friday after the nation's observance of the All Saints and All Souls days.

"Naa gyoy mag-praktis sa kalag-kalag ani kay taas kaayo ang pride nga at stake," said tournament commissioner Hermogenes Anciado in jest.

The scores:

Blue Titans 83--Neri 31, Raagas 12, Melitante 10, Ostrea M. 8, Baltazar 6, Cabase 2, Abueme 2, Pabelic 2.

Red Typhoon 81--Ostrea P. 21, Gica 21, Padilla 20, Arpay 18, Sescon 2, Lagasca 2.

2nd game

White Stallions 75--Go 30, Sanchez 25, Pabillore 8, Tolod 4, Cui 3, Mirelles 3, Borinaga 2, Tandoy 2, Pajaron 2, Dollente 2, Canadilla.

Black Hawks 70--Banaag 12, Marte 10, Manila 8, Collera 6, Yaranon 6, Simon 6, Agcopra 6, Timonera 2, Moreno 2, Cabahug 1, Paler 0, Pastor 0.