IT TOOK the undersized Team Butron to upend the two-game win roll of Team Alvarez in the ongoing 3rd President’s Cup Green CdeO Eagles basketball tournament in Cagayan de Oro City.
Over at the Nazareth gym last weekend, Oro’s own namesake of billiard icon Efren “Bata” Reyes exploded for 24 points, 18 of them from the 3-point arc, to lead Team Butron’s 71-64 conquest of Team Alvarez.
“Kon hunter si Efren Bata sa billiard, atong Efren Reyes dire sa basketball bu-ak gayud permi ang tres basta dili bantayan,” one observer said after witnessing Reyes’ brilliancy in his debut game in the 3rd President’s Cup.
Team Butron now leads the league with a perfect 2-0 win-loss record, while dropping erstwhile frontrunner Team Alvarez to 2-1.
The explosive tandem of Carlos Alvarez and Patriana erupted for 20 and 18 points each, but Reyes got enough help from Dodong Buot, Daryll Timkang, Balong Mabalot, Charlie Butron, Bhodz Lumacang and Stev Panaz to break Team Alvarez’s immaculate record.
In the second game, Team Navarra handed Team Mugot of its back-to-back defeat via a 74-65 finish. At least four Navarra dribblers in Paporo, Relevo, Gelogo and Daculiat finished in twin-digit numbers to counter the equally-productive night of Babiera, Macapayag and Pamisa.
“Dili nako kaya dalhon ang team kon gamay ra `mi permi gatunga,” admitted the star forward Babiera after another forgettable night.
Team Romulz capped the night with an ego-tripping 91-55 demolition of the Eagles Aspirants.
Red-hot Jezzrel Saraus continued to deliver a barrage of 3-point baskets, this time pouring in seven from the rainbow sphere to register a game-high 29 points en route to Romulz Power’s second-straight triumph after an opening game loss.
Bonbon and Eslapor added 24 and 14 points apiece for Team Romulz, while the winless Eagles Aspirants got 25 points from the 6-foot-3 Sobiono.