Camaman-an rules 2nd ‘Dongkoy’ hoopfest

THEY could have given up.

But down by 22 points in just the first quarter (4-26), the Camaman-an dribblers summoned all their strength and courage to hammer out a come-from-behind 90-86 win over Iponan and ran away with the men’s open division title of the 2nd Mayor Dongkoy Emano Cup Inter-Barangay basketball concluded here last Saturday at the Xavier University (XU) gym.

In a see-saw match that ensued right from the opening salvo, Balulang succeeded in upstaging reigning 18-under champion Kauswagan, 75-72. While Cugman handily kept its 14-under plum by taking the starch out from the heavily undermanned Barangay 14, 80-38 in the curtain raiser.

With Junjun Daanoy scoring 11 of his 34 points in the first quarter and the backcourt tandem of Ivan Dablio and Pao Villar heating up early, it looks like Iponan would finally bring home the bacon after yielding to Lapasan in last season’s finals.

But as soon as the battle turned into a running game, Camaman-an kept pushing its way up to slowly recover and had its first taste of the lead, 50-49 with still 7:40 to go in the third quarter.

“During our huddle, mao ra gyod akong gihangyo sa ila nga dili mo give up kay anaa na ang opportunity wala nay ugma nga paabuton. At least, napakita sa mga bata nga dili pa mawala sa eksena ang Camaman-an when it comes to basketball kay last season disappointed kaayo among barangay nga na-eliminate ‘mi,” coach James Racines told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

As Budie Tamparong and Alvin Claunan provided the baskets and the muscles for the slow-starting Camaman-an, coach Racines found a potent weapon in his youthful forward Ken Salado who delivered clutch baskets that mattered the most in forestalling anew the championship bid of Iponan.

“Nasabayan namo ilang intensity unya nag-error sab akong mga babies sa endgame stretch. Pero wala ra kaayo ko masakiti kay right from the start mao raman gyod akong gideklara nga makatunob lang mi’g balik sa XU gym okay na kaayo,” said Iponan chair Anthony “Lady Gaga” Brellita.

By showing their indomitable spirit all-night-long, Camaman-an did not only end up with the crowning glory. The wards of “El Kapitan” Dometilo Acenas Jr. also finished the Mayor’s Cup with an unbeaten slate.

Completing Camaman-an’s dynamic cast are Jay Calang, Julius Hinampas, Richard Kwong, Kurt Pabua, Billy Abato Jr., Joel Sollano and Jimboy Custan with Kagawads Ruel C. Gamao, Licenio Amoguis, Wendyl Princillo and ex-Kag. Ruben Sirlva Sr. equally providing them an able support.

Reinforced by the key players of Xavier University Senior Crusaders, the Balulang team of coach Dundee Velez was made up of Jeff Flores, Dudan Lagbas, Wellmax Sario, Kim Labitad, Red Cachuela, Jimmy Fuentes, Sam Velez, Christian Diputado, Koko Jabines, eil Malagar, Ric Palomar and Dario Piatti with Arvin Martinez, Jay Acaylar, Diomedes Cano and Brande Martinez comprising its coaching staff.

Composing the player-roster of back-to-back champion Cugman team of coach Oliver Joo G. Park are Ric Vincent Pacheco, Luc Ashton Artazo, Angelo Cruz, Ray Christian Temple, Bryan Moron, Mark Ryan Catian, Francis Olano, Kim Gayramara,John Melencion, Rygal Bunsay, James Castillo, Gemar Arche, John Romero, Riel Santizo, Bryan Cabilo, Eboy Calextro with the troika of Bert Artazo, Rene Cuizon and Rose Gualdaquever as team managers and Grover Joo G. Park and Mel Sacala as assistant coaches.

In a couple of friendly games highlighting the finals, Bambi Sports beefed up by actors Carlos Agassi and Jordan Herrera looked like heading to an exciting win when Gilbert Magdugo fired a 3-pointer allowing the Councilors Prexy Elipe and Alden Bacal-led Oro Executives to force a 69-all standoff.

The Oro Press and the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) also engaged in a close fight with the former notching a hard-earned 68-64 victory.

“Bisan edaran na, kombate gihapon kaayo among mga kapitan pero kulang na gyod sa hangin,” said Councilor Alexander Dacer, a former basketball standout himself, who joined Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano, Misamis Oriental 2nd district Rep. Yevgeny “Bambi” Emano and fellow Kag. Nadia Emano-Elipe in gracing the months-long tourney’s finale.

The scores:

18-Under

Balulang (75): Labitad 22, Lagbas 12, Cachuela 12, Flores 10, Sario 5, Piatti 4, Palomar 3, Malagar 2, Jabines 2, Fuentes 1, Velez 0, Diputadu 0.

Kauswagan (72): Manatad 17, Akut 14, Basas 8, Baluran 7, Daitol 6, Celda 6, Nagac 6, Jalog 5, Lamberang 2, Daayata 0, Ramos 0, Espiniola 0, Bayon 0.

Open division

Camaman-an (90): Tamparong 26, Salado 18, Claunan 14, Costan 8, Kwong 6, Abato 4, Hinampas 4, Pabua 4, Calang 3, Sollano 3, Racines 0.

Brgy. Iponan (86): Daanoy 34, Ebdao 13, Gamos 11, Villar 9, Dablio 6, Orquiza 6, Eduave 5, Daigdigan 2, Ragandang 0, Rondina 0, Oligario 0, Maglangit 0, Jimenez 0, Serdeña 0.