ASSEMBLING the top basketball veterans in the locality, the super-40 up Club 88 emerged champion in the pre-season opening of the 1st HNH-CDOBF Cup Inter-Ballclub Summer League at Liceo de Cagayan University gym here, over the weekend.
But it was not easy for the wards of team-playing manager Roldan Kaamiño and team-playing coach GAT Tamayo as they faced a formidable opponent in the finals in no less than the Subokin Club’s own powerhouse cast of ageless warriors mentored by Rocky Calingin.
It was like a titanic clash when the two teams stepped on the floor, engaging in a down-the-wire contest. But after the smoke of battle cleared, the more determined Club 88 side prevailed, besting Subokin in a 88-84 thriller for the championship crown.
“Dagko tag-as sab ang Subokin,” said a beaming Tamayo, referring to Erwin Raagas, Noknok San Jose and Samboy Uy. “Naa pud ila mga snipers sa tres,” citing Allan Enteria, Bobby Diaz and Janjan Hengania, among others.
Club 88 made it to the finals after defeating host HNH, bannered by the troika of Moreno, Alinas and Miralles. While Subokin advanced after a convincing win over the Loloy Gelogo and Charlie Butron-led Green CdeO Eagles in the other half of the crossover matches.
Fortifying the triumphant Club 88 roster are Norberto Balbutin, Edmund Tilap, Owen Ubay-ubay, Ivan Tongco, Gilbert Magdugo, Jojo Mahistrado, Jayson Alfeche, Rex Armojallas, Christopher Carretas and Cyrus Diango. LLS