PLAYING solid defense in the final half, the Green CdeO Eagles wiggled out from twin-digit deficit to defeat Subukin, 89-85, on Monday night and secure a place in the big 4 round of Barangay Tablon Summer Basketball League 2015 here.
The Eagles of team-playing manager Anjun “Con-Air” Gomez and coach Ulysses Romulo take on Tablon Ballclub Selection Wednesday night at 6 p.m. for its last game assignment in the elimination round.
They’re currently ranked at second place with a 5-1 win-loss ledger behind the unbeaten Acidus (5-0) of Jongjong Aunzo, Jojo Mahistrado, Samboy Uy and company.
“Naa pay last game but our hard-earned win over Subukin was enough for us to claim the second-seed come play-off round,” said Gomez, who expects either Cocpo of Police Chief Inspector Henry Cay-as or Subukin of coach Rocky Calingin as the Eagles’ possible opponent in the semifinals.
Rotating a three-guard position anchored by Cyrus Diango and brothers Roland and Jingle Reyes, Subukin thrived in backcourt play to dominate Green CdeO early as the fired-up Owen Ubay-Ubay and Joseph Villareal hit their strides.
But 3-point sniping of Dr. Wilbourne Neri, perimeter shots by Eyo Moreno and inside baskets by Rex Armojallas and Rodelio Gelogo pulled the Eagles closer to within three.
Playing-coach Romulo took a gambit, fielding his smallest guy on the floor at the start of the fourth and final quarter. And he was aptly rewarded.
Stev Panaz gamely responded to the challenge, scoring on back-to-back fastbreak plays. And with the late-coming Anton Pabillore still fresh and Waway Arocha regaining his touch, the Green CdeO Eagles proved superior in the endgame stretch that was almost single-handedly challenged by Subukin forward Fiscal Alfonso Vicente who strung up 6-straight points with his trademark perimeter jumpers.
The Green CdeO’s 40-above and 39-below teams also stay unbeaten in the ongoing Eagles Week basketball at Barangay Bulua gym which is strongly contending for the civic division’s No.1 spot in brgy. 17 summer hoopfest.
“Consistent na sab ang 3 points ni Kuya Doc (Neri) mao nga medyo buwenas ta karon. Pasalamat sab sa kanunay nga suporta ni Kuya James Manganar ug Ate Joyce Rodriguez,” said Sol Mercado, who also provided an able support inside the paints alongside newcomers Balong Mabalot, 'Rodman' Uayan and Jasper Paterno.