|
Monday, July 17, 2006
Bacolod cager says Pagadian tough to beat in NBC finals
FORMER University of Negros Occidental Recoletos Rams forward Roland Delina says the Pagadian Explorers will be tough to beat when the best-of-three title series for the 2006 Guerrero Brandy National Basketball Conference (NBC) reels off today.
"Pagadian's semis victory over favored Parañaque-Spring Cooking Oil was convincing mainly because of Pagadian's reinforced lineup. They have strengthened their weak spots in their lineup with the addition of veterans like Bong Marata, Mike Orquillas, Lou Gatumbato, Peter Naron and Rhagnee Sinco.
That's a lot of muscle when you consider where these guys came from," Delina said.
Delina's team, the defending champion Ozamis Cotta, takes on the Explorers starting with today's Game 1 of the title series and the Bacolod cager says it will be anybody's ball game.
"I'm just a bench player but I'll do whatever role the coach assigns me to do to make our team retain the championship," the soft-spoken former Recoletos varsitarian told Sun Star Bacolod in as telephone interview Sunday.
Marata, a journeyman in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) who saw action for 2005 Negros Basketball Association (NBA) Mayor's Cup champion YBAC-Emarken, topscored with 22 points for Pagadian in its 98-95 victory over Parañaque-Spring Cooking Oil.
Actually, the Explorer lost 75-82 in their semis opener but levelled the series Thursday to clinch the second and last finals seat Friday before their hometown fans.
According to Delina, what hurt Parañaque in the semis was the absence of Rodel Manual and the injury og Gilbert Neo. "Parañaque led 58-46 at the halfturn and were still leading 73-69 going into the final quarter. But Marata combined with Naron, Orquillas and Sinco in igniting a fierce rally which helped the Explorers turn the game around. That's why I personally consider Pagadian a tough opponent in the finals because of their veterans," Delina explained. (HCV)
(July 17, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
