TRMH-VMO sweeps elims, battles Montaña for crown

HEAVY favorite The Royal Mandaya Hotel-Vice Mayor's Office (TRMH-VMO) turned back Goldstar Hardware, 90-83, Thursday night to complete a three-game sweep in the eliminations and set up a titular showdown against defending champions Montaña Pawnshop on Friday evening in the Mayor Inday Sara and Vice Mayor Rody Duterte 76th Araw ng Dabaw Commercial Basketball Tournament at the Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center.

Chris Calaguio drilled in 21 points to lift the Glenn Escandor-owned and Christopher "Bong" Go-managed TRMH-VMO squad as teammates Francis Adriano and Mark Andaya contributed 15 and 14, respectively.

The Jigger Saniel-coached Goldstar Hardware's top scorers were Alvin Pasaol and Leomer Losentes who combined for 33.

TRMH-VMO coach Miguel Solitaria, in a brief text message to Sun.Star Davao yesterday, said they look forward to playing in the finals opposite Montaña that bowed to Team Villar, 57-68, in the last day of eliminations.

"It would be a really exciting championship, a game of adjustments (for both teams)," Solitaria said as his team had already beaten Montaña, 78-76, on Wednesday.

Solitaria also said they did all the scouting and pre-game adjustments yesterday morning, adding: "We just have to worry about game application this time and if it would work out on our favor, I guess winning a large margin (against Montaña) would be easy."

TRMH-VMO, however, will have to get its acts together as the Armand Quibod-owned Montaña Pawnbrokers might try to bounce back with more efficient free throw shooting and stiffer defense, areas that Montaña head coach Nick Serafica admitted they lacked during their first encounter.

Josh Adalid and black import Devon Sullivan, who canned 14 and 11 points, in Montaña 's loss to Team Villar will have to step up and get the much needed help from Ronald Lamocha, Tibs Blanco, Leo Fernandez, Don Adormeo, Bonbon Bulac, Nestor Martinez, Jano Nuñez, Edgar Awitin, JR de Guzman and Dino Daa.

In the battle for third, Goldstar Hardware was set to collide with Team Villar whose Jonathan Parreño poured 20 baskets and Chris Concepcion made 16 in their victory over Montaña earlier.

Goldstar Hardware, now without import Jamelle Cornley who helped Rain or Shine Elasto Painters win their first title in the franchise history last year in the PBA and several Cebuano stalwarts from M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala, will have to rely on regular locals the likes of Pasaol, Losentes, Conrad Fernado, Edmar Patino, Eugene Torres, John Gonzaga, Dado Ayson and Jay Cabanog.

Cornley and other Cebuano reinforcements reportedly packed their bags and went home after they got frustrated over the "poor" officiating in Goldstar Hardware's first game loss to Montaña.

The champion will receive a cash prize of P100,000 while the runner-up will claim P75,000. The next two placers will take home P50,000 and P30,000.

The most valuable player will also bag P5,000 in the four-day cagefest organized by Liga Dabaw, Inc., sanctioned by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Mindanao Cluster B director Regino "Boy" Cua and presented by the city government of Davao through the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office.