Golden Yellow rules Ballpals summer tilt

THEY may not able to win a ring this time around, but Ballpals' old-time favorite Bobby Diaz felt it so honored to have endured the club's ups and downs through all these years.

"It was 1991. It was 1991 since we started Ballpals at the Palaro Center," hollered Diaz, his neck hoisting a medal he got for being selected into the Mythical 5 of the club's just-concluded summer inter-color tourney.

"This medal means so much to me. After 21 years in the club, I think this is gonna be my final appearance," said the 40-something Diaz in the company of fellow Ballpals regulars -- old and new -- on Saturday's victory celebration at De Gracia beach (formerly Maandig beach) in Barangay Bonbon.

Youthful Allen Ellarina, Edward "Play Hard" Baculio and "Baby James" Abucejo were also holding small trophies for being adjudged as MVP, 3-point King and Most Improved Player, respectively, with Samuel Roldan completing the magic 5.

"Grabe, sa kadugay na nakong sige'g dula sa Ballpals karon pa ko na Most Improved. Pero dako kaayo `ning epekto pag boost sa mga morale sa players nga adunay ginagmay nga mga awards para sab ma-recognize atong mga efforts sa korte," Baculio told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Calling themselves as Ballpals Brownbox, Mercado's Golden Yellow edged Quikoy's Blue, 2-1 in their best-of-3 showdown to win the summer crown over at Barangay 24's covered court.

"Permi sila galabaw. Sa fourth quarter lang gyod `mi naka-ukas. Until now, mora'g overwhelmed pa kaayo `mi sa kalipay kay apiki gyod among linya wala gyod damha nga mo-champion pa," an ecstatic Bongmark Mercado, said.

Providing MVP Ellarina and fastbreak specialist Mercado (Bongmark) an able support were Marko Elmaga, Wingmark Mercado, Ting Tiro, Joejaks Acain, Allan Poliquit, Fortune Mendoza, Ely Galleros, P. Ferrolino and Paro with Malou Elmaga as team manager. (LLS)