Oro bankers caging finals to start Friday night

Thursday, November 3, 2011

TOP-performing team in the elimination round (5-1), the Black Hawks dribblers, prefer to be labelled as the underdog when the 1st Oro Bankers Inter-Color basketball tournament starts its best-of-3 finals Friday night at the Nazareth gym here.

"We used to be the top team after the double round-robin elimination. But now, we believe we're the underdog in the finals," said veteran court leader Charome Marte who unleashed an amazing performance in majority of those Black's previous victories.

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"Of course, the injury to our youthful fastbreaker," Marte said, referring to Jet Yaranon.

Despite the return of key starter Mon Collera, as well as the resurrection of the backcourt pair of Governor Oscar Moreno and Ritchell Banaag, Black yielded its final elimination round assignment to White Stallions in the very pre-final match that saw Yaranon pulling off a muscle on his upper leg.

"Ang advise sa doctor nga dili pa siya makadula for the rest of the season. Being the fastest guy in our roster, bikil gyod nga wala si Jet," Marte told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Fronted by the hurricane duo of PJ Sanchez and Stephen Go, the Stallions of coach Manny Diaz and team managers Jessie Tolod and Mafel Gatchalian won't leave nothing to chance in their "Black Hawks Down" mission.

"We'll just make it sure that we come well-prepared on Friday (tonight). With or without Jet, Black is a dangerous opponent for the obvious reason that it has the deepest bench in the league," White's starting pointguard Anton Pabillore told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Reinforced by coach Dante Banquerigo, the Black Hawks of team managers Edwin Ranes and Hazel Padero also have reliable wingman James Simon and the Oro Bankers' tallest guy James Timonera deemed to spoil White's cause.

In the fight for third place, the Erwin Raagas and Marvin Luke Neri-powered Blue Titans will go up against the Red Typhoon with no less than Miss Oro Bankers Wilca Mae S. Abejuela among the fans ready to cheer for them.

"My heart will always go for Blue team. I'll be watching again," said Abejuela, the 23-year-old product of Xavier University, who is now financial advisor for PNB Life (Allied Bank).

Tournament director Arnel DyShines said the Metrobank Dancers can't wait to give a special number as among the highlights of the championship showdown.

"Humana man ang BDO during the opening, amo na sab nga dancers ang mopakitang gilas," said Dunix "Derek Ramsay" Pajaron, White's so-called lucky charm.