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Sunday, August 13, 2006
Ballpals-Subokin rematch: Not a remote possibility
By Lynde Salgados
THEY never did it in the elimination round.
At least, by taking on some kind of ritual so unusual to the group, the happy-go-lucky Ballpals dribblers mean it seriously to challenge the fiesta Cup title of the Southland inter-club basketball tournament here.
"Pilde o daug basta wala nay alibi. So, for the first time...naka-praktis na gyod mi kausa. Hopefully, masundan pa aron makamado ang team," said Nanni Palacio with sweat dripping down his cheek after coming out of the Acsat gym in Barangay Carmen one drizzly night.
Bulky forward Mark Apepe said it's quite difficult to execute a play without doing any rehearsal "kay bisan ako nga makatabang sa ilalom mosaka na lang kay dili makadawat og bola."
Arguably the most athletic of them all with his regular training session with mother squad Misor Pryce Pharma in the MVBA, starting guard Babart Acaylar has no complaint heeding to Ballpals' first-ever practice in this conference.
"Mag-practice man gani ang taga-PBA kita pa kaha," was his telling point.
The revelation of back-up guard Anton Pabillore had understandably inspired the wards of playing-coach JP Pabillore that they immediately sought for team practice.
"Ang Subokin Green man gud grabe ka diligent sa ilang practice. Bata o edaran mora'g mga college varsity lage kay ga-sprinting gyod court-to-court every time malabyan nako sila sa Macasandig covered court," was his observation.
Ballpals Defenders occupy second place behind Auto Planet Zoom Masters with Ball Stag Hydraulics and Subokin Green Eagles at No.3 and No.4, respectively, for the top-4 positions in the crossover round.
One Southland insider said the initial standings (pending the confirmation of project director Alex Medes) may remain as that except that Auto Planet's main gunner Boyet Alfeche may not be allowed to see action in the semifinal round after Thurs-Sun's protest questioning the validity of his membership with the Auto Planet Club.
Without Alfeche, Auto Planet suffered its first defeat in six games at the outset of the single round-robin elimination phase.
Barring unforeseen glitches, Auto Planet will face Subokin Green with Ballpals and Ball Stag locking horns in the other half of the crossover matches on Saturday at Liceo gym.
"So kon matinuod nga nadutlan sa protesta si Alfeche, dako ang chance sa Subokin Green nga ilang mapilde ang Auto Planet. Now, how about kon mapilde sab nato ang Ball Stag?" that was Bonggiks Quikoy in a huddle with fellow coaching staff member Andit Mendoza.
Last year, MRD Metal Trading Ballpals defeated Subokin in the finals to win the inaugural conference of the Southland League.
In their latest encounter, Ballpals again won over Subokin Green in double overtimes to further heat up their colorful rivalry.
Will Ballpals cross paths again with mighty challenger Subokin for the Fiesta Cup title?
That will be known after Saturday's keenly awaited semifinal showdown.
(August 12, 2006 issue)
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