Saturday, July 02, 2005
Diaz's Red shocks favored Blue rivals
By Lynde Salgados
WITH five-time consecutive MVP Bobby Diaz at the helm, Red Team quashed the twice-to-beaten Blue of JP Pabillore to arrange a title showdown with White on Saturday in the exciting Ballpals Incorporated Inter-Color basketball tournament here.
Blue's top gunner Angking Saura sizzled for 37 points but failed to get ample support from his teammates in last Saturday's deciding Game 2 at Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center.
"To beat the best performing team in the elimination round is quite a daunting task labi na nga twice to beat sila. But our team spirit proved once and for all that we're up for another championship try," said the sweet-shooting Diaz who got a solid back-up in rebounding ace Jiboy Rafisura.
"Maayo gani kay nakadula si Jiboy sa amo. Very inspiring sab ang depensa ni Quikoy (Bonggiks) nga pang MVP ang paningkamot sa Game 2," added Diaz.
Also entering the semis round with a twice-to-beaten edge, White had no trouble, however, disposing of Yellow with CDO Stars mainstay Jaime Rivera playing like a man possessed on the fastbreak.
"Lamang gyod si Diding (Rivera) sa amo sa stamina kay gadula man gud sa NBC league. Gaaso-aso sa fastbreak," said Yellow guard Pastor Carlo Tolomia.
With the powerful cast of Baloy Fernandez, Nanni Palacio, Menandro Paasa, Francis Poblacion, Vince Vallejos, Jojo Udasco, Jojo Batobalonos and Josol in White's roster, Diaz and company will have a hard time repeating as champion this time around.
"I always love to face the challenge. We'll never go this far if we don't have the character to stand against the test of time," said Diaz who also counts on the full backing of Sonny Gopez, Jetmark Mercado, Andit Mendoza, Buray and the Escobido kins.
Tournament overseer Crisanto Yurong said the championship game will be played at St. Mary's gym in Barangay Carmen in the event seasonal raindrops will disrupt the scheduled match on Saturday afternoon.
(July 2, 2005 issue)
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