THERE’S no denying Team Gabe and Team Doc Neri as they both fashioned out lopsided wins to join Team Abamin and Team Nobles in the semifinals of the NMR-IV Eagles basketball tournament dubbed as “First NMR-IV Governor Luiben Magto Cup”.
Team Gabe banked on a whirlwind finish in the final half to blast Team Candia, 95-68 as Team Doc Neri did the same--a blazing fourth quarter breakthrough--to eliminate Team Jagger, 90-71 on Thursday night, July 18, at the Southern Philippine College (SPC) covered court here.
Jan Babiera (17), Wyndel Relevo (14), Shian Galanida (14), and Boning Biongcog (10) all scored in double-digit numbers for Team Gabe’s overpowering effort in the final half to neutralize Team Candia which got 15 and 12 markers each from Marvin Revilla and the youthful Sabal.
“Kon gamay lang ang inat ga-expect pa mi nga maka-ilok pero wala silay kumpyansa sa first half rami nakadikit sa score,” said Revilla, who did well at the point, but was simply overwhelmed by Team Gabe’s abundance of scoring threats.
Former Perpetual Help standout Sean Neri debuted in the Eagles league with a bang, delivering 23 points on strong drives apart from recording the most number of steals in the night.
“Lisod pugngan kay bata pa unya expose sa big leagues in Manila,” Kuya Steve Asil said of Dr. Wilbourne Neri’s promising son, who’s now with Emilio Aguinaldo College senior varsity team.
Neri drew an able support from Carlos Alvarez and Tata Sala who chipped in 16 and 14 points apiece to fortify Team Doki’s solid fourth quarter aided by a lot of technical calls slapped against Team Jagger.
“Nawala among momentum after na-eject si Kuya Balabag nga mao ra among saligando sa perimeter area,” one of his teammates, said.
The huge tandem of Vasquez and Steve Taduran paced Team Jagger with 20 and 14 markers, respectively.
Tournament commissioner Gary Mejos said the crossover matches and the championship might be held on Wednesday and Thursday at the Nazareth gym.