THE 2018-2019 edition of the Kuyamis Inter-Municipality basketball tournament apparently ended in a major heartbreak for coach Jong Valdehueza and the Tarantula dribblers of Tagoloan town.
Not even the inspiring presence of Tagoloan son in Misamis Oriental Governor Bambi Emano could not stop the late-surging Opol Dolphins in upstaging the heftier Tarantulas, 88-72 to clinch the premier 25-under crown of the Kuyamis hoopfest concluded on Thursday afternoon at the Capitol ground in Cagayan de Oro.
Lagging behind by as much as 7 points midway of the third quarter, the Opol Dolphins banked on speed and endgame resiliency to break the hearts of the slightly-favored Tagoloan Tarantulas.
"They were in control of the 25-under championship game, pero nabali ang hangin sa final half," said Danilo Jaminal, head of the Kuyamis basketball referees.
Tagoloan actually appeared in two of three final matches, but its 18-under squad got ambushed by Alubijid, 60-54.
Talisayan won the 14-under final at the expense of Villanueva, 52-40.
Tagoloan's only consolation was Bambi Sports' standoff with LGU Gitagum, 105-105 in an exhibition game.
Gitagum Mayor Loloy Mugot exploded for 46 points, but Gov. Emano nailed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to tie the score.