IT'S going to be youth against experience when Team Doc Neri clashes with Team Gabe on Wednesday, July 31, in the championship game of the 1st NMR-IV Eagles Governor Luiben Magto Cup basketball tournament at the Nazareth gym, Cagayan de Oro City.
The finale of the month-long Eagles hoopfest, also supported by NMR-IV vice governor Jagger Libot, will follow right after the 7 p.m. preliminary "exhibition" match between guest teams Metro Cagayan Eagles Club and "A Team" Daddy's.
"Adunay mga gimmick nga atong gi-andam, like half court showdown and 3-point contest diin nagpa-abot ang mga premyo sa mga mananaug. Maong gi-invite nato ang mga basketball enthusiasts to come, participate, and witness sa atong kabibo karong Miyerkules sa gabii," said tournament director Julius Gary Mejos, who acknowledged Kuya Rey Myrlon BA Abarabar for introducing and promoting the NMR-IV tourney into the attention-grabbing digital arts of basketball through social media.
Team Doc Neri, which advanced first in the finals via a nail-biting 58-56 conquest of Team Abamin, will rely on the youthful foursome of Sean Neri, Michael Daigdigan, Eric Baa, and Ogag Noble in their quest to nab the inaugural crown of the NMR-IV caging under the newly-minted governor Magto.
On the other hand, Team Gabe -- which stunned the pre-tournament favorite Team Nobles, 81-76, in the other half of the semifinal matches -- will bank mostly on the veterans such as Janjan Babiera, John Naliponguit, Boning Biongcog, Daryll Timkang, Wyndel Relevo, Charlie Butron, Errol Gabe, and Imok Cabrezos in their own bid for the crowning glory.
"Halos mga tigulang gyod kita kay halos 40-above, naa pa gyoy 50-up na si Kuya Westbrook. (Shian Galanida) ra ang 30-kapin. Naay laing tulo nga mga batan-on pa, pero sa height ug pamuot (attitude) lang bata," Relevo said in half jest, referring to Stev Panaz, Ed Gustilo and Eric Daabay.
During their semis stint, the Team Doc Neri dribblers were already in the brink of defeat, trailing by four under one minute left. But Sean Neri showed why he made it to the NCAA's Perpetual Help junior varsity team when he returned from a bad fall to score a crucial trey.
It was followed by the lanky Baa's coast-to-coast lay-up, with time ticking away, en route to Team Doc Neri's stunning victory.
"Mga bata pa kaayo ang players sa Team Doki. Naa pa si Eric Baa nga lodi (idol) kaayo nako. Damgo na lang nga maparehas sa iya nga maka-dunk. Very interesting and challenging kini nga championship that i personally invite everyone to watch and enjoy the games," Babiera said.