Oro Bankers caging culminates Thursday night

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

THEY beat each other once in preliminary stage and in the first two games of the best-of-3 final series. And two of their key players -- White's Stephen Go and PJ Sanchez and Black's James Simon and Jet Yaranon -- made it to the Mythical Five.

These alone guarantee equal chances when the White Stallions and the Black Hawks clash at 8 p.m. Thursday in deciding Game 3 for the much coveted crown of the 1st Oro Bankers Inter-Color basketball tournament at the Nazareth gym, Cagayan de Oro City.

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The double elimination round's top team performer, the Black Hawks -- which acquired lately the services of coach Dante Banquerigo – mauled the Stallions of coach Manny Diaz in the opener, 81-71.

But with Banquerigo a no-show in Game 2, the Stallions -- anchored by the "now you see" "now you don't" slotman Thirdie Cui -- retaliated with a morale-boosting 62-52 finish.

"In spite of his job-related out-of-town activity, Thirdie will try his best nga makatunga. Pero delikado `mi sa winner-take-all match kay wala among point guard," said Angel Dollente, referring to former Far Eastern University stalwart Anton Pabillore.

The able back-up of Johnny Abbarientos during the FEU Tamaraws' fabled years in the UAAP Games, Pabillore left Wednesday for Manila with the 350-strong Mindanao contingent bound for the 3rd Milo Little Olympics National Finals in Lingayen, Pangasinan. He's been tapped to reinforce the coaching staff of Mindanao chess team wherein his two kids (Christian Mario and Angel) will be playing for.

"Puwersado molarga kay di puwede biyaan ang mga bata. But how I wish nga White ang mo-champion with or without my presence," Pabillore earlier told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

White's menacing tandem of Go and Sanchez will be the main threat to Black, survivor of some tough battles -- including in the playoff round -- behind the amazing performance of veteran hard court warrior Charome Marte.

"Mga second coming of the heart na kini nga performance. Win or lose, I'll be dedicating this championship match to her," said Marte, among the few "cunning bachelors" in the Oro Bankers community without naming his new inspiration.