Tuesday, April 22, 2008 CdeO dribblers spark rout By Lynde Salgados
PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan -- Cagayan de Oro dribblers sparked the strong start of Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association big wins in all ballgame competitions of the 2008 Palarong Pambansa here yesterday.
Facing host Mimaropa and the hostile homeground crowd that gathered at the extremely hot Paleco covered court, Northern Mindanao squad showed no mercy in carving out a 70-52 win.
"We felt sorry for the home crowd but we mean business here. Lisud na kaayo kung magkumpiyansa (we might risk our chances to win if we take them lightly)," coach Boy Dacoco said.
Inspired by the wild cheers they got from a large number of spectators, Mimaropa waxed hot early to a 6-0 lead. But as quick as they started was NMRAA's retaliation that swiftly turned the match into a lopsided affair. Mimaropa had just no match to Dacoco's wards in height and stamina.
NMRAA's elementary hoopsters also debuted with a 63-52 drubbing of Western Visayas, though what concerned them the most at present is the minor injuries to junior starters Edward Cielo and John Marco Tayongtong.
Cielo's right foot was hurt during practice, while Tayongtong complains of a pain on his ankle after colliding with teammate Dave Tagolimot in their first game.
"We need them back on time since we have much tougher games ahead," Tagolimot said. He single-handedly cited the powerhouse NCR powered by NCAA MVP Ryan Buenafe of San Sebastian.
"Grabe kaayo sila (NCR) kadagko ug katag-as. Sa guwardiya lang daan 6`2 na ang height. Mora lage'g mga papa," added backcourt Loui Gene Macapayag.
For the second-straight year, NMRAA campaigns in secondary basketball of the Palaro meet without its reliable 6-foot-7 center Phillip "Papot" Paredes who's now with the RP Youth Team.
Also creating a sensation on Day 1 was NMRAA's elementary footballers who cushioned the impact of their secondary counterparts' heartbreaking loss to CLARAA by crushing Ilocos Region via an ego-tripping 11-0 shut-out finish.
NMRAA's secondary athletes also scored opening game victories in softball girls (opposite IRAA), while suffering initial defeats at the hands of CLRAA (elem. sipa takraw), WVRAA (elem. boys volleyball) and BRAA (volleyball secondary girls).
The tandem of secondary boys woodpushers Antonio Chavez Jr. and Jessie Opena opened up their own bid for chess glory by blanking Bicol Region, 2-0. Chavez gave up a pawn for the initiative to defeat perennial Shell Active national finalist, Daniel King Pesimo after 55 moves of a Catalan Opening. While Opena throtted out the Dragon defense with black to conquer Mark John Montilla after 51 pushes.
"Iya man kung gihatagan og chance nga maka-atake sa kingside so, ako na'ng gituloy-tuloy," said the soft-spoken Opena from Opol, Misamis Oriental.
The NMRAA's secondary girls pair of Shian Tigulo and Myris Piloton held Western Visayas to a draw on Tigulo's victory over Gem Treasure Loise Gasendo.
The elementary boys (Chezter Coquilla and Keith Ibaoc) took a first round bye, while the elementary girls bowed down to CLRAA with only Alyssa Isaiah Jamaca halving the point with Faith Pauline Pablo on board 2 battle.
