Ballpals resume finals showdown

"THIS is going to be another bruising match. I expect them to put up a stiff challenge."

Saying this, candidate MVP "Baby James" Abucejo has encouraged his teammates to be ready on Saturday's Game 2 of the 2012 Ballpals Summer basketball championships at Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center here.

Quicoy's Blue Team, playing without Abucejo who attended the South Western University Cobras' first reunion in Mindanao, still managed to beat Mercado's Golden Yellow in overtime play, 73-66.

"Ga-expect pud ko sa Golden Yellow nga mobalos kay na-winning sila sa Game 1 nabali pa ang hangin," tournament director Andit Mendoza told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

With just 1.07 ticks left and Blue's ahead by three, 52-49, Paper Perolino hits two field goals including a 3-pointer to wrest the lead for Yellow.

But a quick retaliation by Third Dela Cruz made it 54-all. Allan Ellarina and Rolly Ampong then traded for baskets and another deadlock Yellow could still win for having the ball possession in the last 12 seconds. But Blue's sweet-shooting guard Bobby Diaz applied pressure-defense on Bong Mercado to deny Yellow's last attempt in the regulation period.

Blue executed solid play in overtime with Diaz and Atoy Camasura scoring 6 points each to lead Quicoy's wards to a 73-66 triumph.

Score:

Blue Team/Quicoy 73--Quilab 14, Ampong 10, Diaz 10, Camasura 10, Dela Cruz 9, Escobido 8, Baculio 6, Paterno 4, Gaabucayan 2, Caballero 0, Tolomia 0.

Yellow Gold/Mercado 66--Ellarina 18, Tiro 11, Due¤as 10, Elmaga 9, Perrolino 7, Mercado 6, Mendoza 3, Galleros 2, Paro 0, Mercado 0. (LLS)