Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Philhealth cagers triumph
By Lynde Salgados
NOW they can look forward to squaring off with their much bigger and more illustrious counterparts from Davao.
Host Philhealth on Friday drubbed Metrobank, 98-87, to complete a 2-0 sweep of their best-of-three championship games in the exciting 1st Philhealth-Cagayan de Oro basketball league at the Acsat gym.
In doing so, the wards of Philhealth assistant vice president for Northern Mindanao Datu Masiding "Ding" M. Alonto Jr. and Coach Jim Marohombsar gained the right to face Philhealth Davao in an exhibition match here tentatively set next week.
"Philhealth Davao has size advantage and perhaps more experienced players than us. But our charges are already quite familiar with each other. To say the least, we've already established a better chemistry in our team that we're almost assured to give them a good fight," the sports-loving Alonto told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
After erecting a twin-digit lead in the early goings, Philhealth cagers -- behind the balanced assaults of Owen Ubay-Ubay, Emelio Alinas, Jerome Pagute, Luisito "Jun" Pong, Norman Ebajay and Dave Baysa -- never looked back as they sustained the momentum up to the final quarter sans injured forward Paul Anthony Moreno.
Not even the never-say-die spirit displayed by Rufino Hengania, Charome Marte, Erwin Raagas, Thirdie Cui, Mark Reyes and Manolo Pajaron could stop Philhealth's relentless effort spiced up by the usual crowd-drawing antics of back-up guard Nasser Daclag on the floor.
"By local standard, Philhealth-CDO is really a strong commercial team with a deeper bench. Our only consolation was we fought till the end up to the best of our courage and ability," said Raagas.
Ubay-Ubay, formerly with Cebu's South Western Cobras, and Alinas of the Acsat Wild Cats, paced Philhealth with 20 points each. Pagute and Pong had 12 and 10 markers apiece.
Also fortifying Philhealth's convincing title finish were Dexter Lalosa, Roy Rafael Yacapin, Mandy Uy and Romeo Taruc.
"We're so liberal in imposing our tournament rules and guidelines that more teams have expressed interest to join the competition. Others simply asked that there would be a second conference this year but we intend to do it only annually," added Alonto, now in his third-year as president of the Government Corporations Athletic Association (GCAA) Meet.
Philhealth got the P10,000 top purse, while Metrobank of coach Arvin Mosqueda and third-placer IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines) settles for P7,000 and P5,000 cash prizes, respectively, also with trophies.
How they score
Philhealth (98) -- Ubay-Ubay 20, Alinas 20, Pagute 12, Pong 10, Ebajay 8, Baysa 8, Daclag 5, Uy 5, Taruc 4, Lalosa 2, Moreno 2, Yacapin 2.
Metrobank (87) -- Hengania 24, Marte 20, Raagas 13, Cui 12, Pajaron 8, Reyes 5, Miralles 4, Madjos 1.
(July 19, 2006 issue)
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