TEAM Alvarez on Friday shocked the Janjan Babiera-led Team Mugot, 52-50 to lead the 3rd President's Cup Green CdeO Eagles basketball tournament with a 2-0 record.
From the open court in Scions, Kauswagan, Eagles cage action shifted to the Nazareth gym on Saturday night where Team Alvarez battled Team Butron that debuted with a lopsided 50-36 win over the Eagles Aspirants of former Brgy. 23 chairman Jaime Joshua Frias II.
"Underdog pero kayod ang linya sa Team Alvarez, though surprising kaayo nga ilang napeldi ang Team Mugot topbilled by JanBabs (Babiera) who is one of the best 40-up players in Cagayan de Oro," said tournament commissioner Roberto "Dongcabs" Caballero.
The troika of Alvarez, Cabriana and Caballero--who combined with 26 points--got enough help from their teammates to nose out Team Mugot that drew double-digit numbers from Babiera (13), Emmanuel Mugot (12) and Balabag (10).
On Friday's opening game, Team Nambatac downed Team Pabillore, 60-56 with the backcourt tandem of Naknak del Castillo and Totsie Daitol leading the charge with 16 and 14 markers, respectively.
Rey Nambatac and Quieta added 10 points each to tame Anton Pabillore and company despite the latter's 13-point production and Errol Gabe, Jay Buot and Rodulfo Besin also scoring in twin-digit.
As Samboy Uy sparked Team Butron's impressive start, Team Romulz rebounded from an opening loss to Team Alvarez via a thrilling 73-71 escape from the clutches of the late-surging Team Navarra.
Team Romulz led by as much as 14 points behind the explosive comeback of RTMI manager Jessie Lentorio. But with big man Loloy Gelogo and Wesley Daculiat leading a strong uprising, Team Navarra managed to force a deadlock in the waning seconds.
It was at this juncture that Estenzo scored his only basket from underneath to spoil Team Navarro's huge effort late of the final fourth quarter.
"Sayang, nasapon namo sila pero nabayong lang sa dying play," the hard-working Daculiat could say in regret.