Camaman-an wins Mayor’s Cup anew

THEY’D been always “living on the edge” up to the final round. But Barangay Camaman-an’s tenacity and grim determination were aptly rewarded in the face of yet another nerve-wracking challenge.

Like what they did in previous matches, Camaman-an battled back from twin-digit deficit in the last two minutes—courtesy of Richard Kwong, Ken Salado and Budie Tamparong’s clutch baskets -- to eke out a thrilling 101-98 win over Barangay Bugo and complete a back-to-back title run in the 3rd Mayor Dongkoy Emano Cup Inter-Barangay Christmas basketball tournament concluded here recently at the Xavier University gym.

Barangay Balulang earlier whipped Barangay Agusan, 90-78, to also secure its own back-to-back championship win in the 18-under division.

“Grabe nga dula, saka na pud among kabuhi kay kami ang gaapas unya gamay na lang ang time,” gasped Camaman-an coach James Racines whose wards were also trailing by 22 points in just the first quarter during their title debut last season against Iponan.

“Until this season, puro comeback wins lang gihapon mi, though mas okay para sa amo kay thrilling kaayo tam-is nga kadaugan,” said backcourt guy Jay Calang, who was scoreless against Barangay Bugo but was a force to reckon with in their pulsating triumph opposite 1st Mayor’s Cup champion Lapasan in the semifinals.

Kwong’s basket inched Camaman-an closer to within 94-97 with still one minute and 34 seconds to go, forcing the Jeff Murial-led Bugo to call for a timeout.

But the youthful Salado, another key player in Camaman-an’s first title victory, lobbed in a 3-pointer and a pair of free throw shots from Tamparong had the reigning Open division champion wresting the lead, 99-98 for good.

“The Camaman-an dribblers of El Kapitan Dometilo Acenas Jr. had established this kind of trademark which only added more vigor and excitement in our annual league,” said Mayor’s Cup tournament director Gerry “Boboy” Sabal, who expertly supervised the prestigious event in the company of Chinglai Casiño and Nando Abapo.

President Elipe and his wife and fellow city councilor Nadia Emano-Elipe joined Sabal, Casiño and Abapo in presiding over the awards rites in the absence of Mayor Vicente Y. Emano and his son in Misamis Oriental 1st district Rep. Yevgeny “Bambi” Emano.

The score:

Camaman-an 101—Tamparong 29, Salado 28, Kwong 14, Claunan 10, Ebdao 10, Sollano 8, Abato 2, Pabua 0, Contreras 0, Calang 0.
Brgy. Bugo 98—Murial 27, Bolivar 21, Salcedo 11, Laniton 9, Gabule 9, Obasa 8, Muñoz 7, Palapar 2, Obasa 1, Caminos 0, Macarayo 0, Valentin 0.