Emano Cup Hoopfest final matches set today at XU gym

OF THE three team champions last season, only Lapasan will not be returning for Saturday’s finals of the 2nd Mayor Dongkoy Emano Cup Inter-Barangay basketball at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro City.

The one responsible for Lapasan’s early exit in just the quarterfinals, Camaman-an dribblers are favored in their hunt for the open division title against reigning vice champion Iponan at 7 p.m.

For one, Camaman-an will enter in the finals as the only unbeaten team, even handling Iponan’s lone defeat during the three-team semifinal race then at Barangay Bulua gym.

“Odds-wise, medyo lamang ang Camaman-an. Pero dili nila masiguro ang Iponan kay mga batan-on pa unya ikaduha na kini nila karon sa finals,” said tournament head Gerry Sabal, who was quite amazed by the abundance of brute and strength in Camaman-an’s interior defense.

Coach James Racines is expected to rely on the huge foursome of J.R. Abato, Julius Hinampas, Alvin Claunan and Richard Kwong for Camaman-an’s inside baskets plus the outside bombing of Kurt Pabua.

Having one of the finest cagers in the league in Junjun Daanoy, Iponan chair Anthony “Lady Gaga” Brellita and coach Bebot Enerio will also count on the backcourt tandem of Pao Villar and Ivan Dablio and the hard-working Carlo Ebdao, Carl Michael Daigdigan, Oscar Gamos and “Sakuragi” Eduave for Iponan’s own quest to surpass its runner-up finish the last time around.

The curtain-raiser match is set at 2 p.m. with Cugman defending the 14 under crown against Barangay 14.

COPC president Fr. Elmer Abacahin leads the Oro Press in an exhibition match with the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) before Kauswagan puts the 18-under plum on the line opposite elimination round pacesetter Balulang.

Highlighting the keenly awaited Iponan-Camaman-an duel is another exhibition match, pitting the Congress team of Rep. Yevgeny “Bambi” Emano versus the Oro Executives.

Sabal’s second fiddle Chinglai Casiño said the championship games will be free to the public with t-shirts, cellphones and basketballs to be raffled to the audience.