IN A farewell performance of Banco de Oro (BDO) top gun Stephen Go, BDO survived a strong comeback by Metrobank in the final half to prevail, 68-65 and won the 3rd Oro Bankers basketball tournament on Wednesday night, October 23, at the Macasandig gym, Cagayan de Oro City.
The do-it-all Go, who hit the dagger in BDO’s last title showdown with archrival Metrobank, did the chief damage once again to the latter’s revenge-seeking bid.
Go top-scored BDO with 18 points, including a baseline jumper off the dribble in the dying seconds that was nearly intercepted.
“Nabuhian niya ang bola pero iya ra sab na-recover og na-convert,” said playing coach Anton Pabillore, who guided the BDO hoopsters like a seasoned pilot.
In Metrobank’s final attempt, Dante Velez was fouled by Noel Yaranon while shooting for trey.
Velez could send the game into overtime play, but he missed all his his three tries from the charity line.
“Stephen Go is always lucky though we’re saddened kay last na niya sa Oro bankers ‘to nga dula. He’s bound for good to New Zealand in December,” said tournament commissioner Jessie Tolod, as he also acknowledged Oro Bankers president Roena Bince for her awe-inspiring presence during the games.
With the legendary Erwin Raagas and Charome Marte nowhere in sight, fellow veteran Janjan Hengania played well for the heftier Metrobank which brought along its newest 6-foot-4 center in Chris John Lim.
But Pacio Valencia was shooting well from afar and Allen Taboclaon made life difficult for Lim at the paints as BDO controlled the half by as many as 11 points lead.
Dishing out an equally-MVP performance, streak-shooting Philip James Sanchez began finding his range as momentum changed hands in third with Metrobank even wresting the upperhand with a 4-point edge, 49-45.
As fellow guard Yaranon struggled with his shots all-night-long, Bob Pagalan made a crucial 3-pointer to give BDO the lead back at four. But the mammoth Lim bulldozed his way for a basket and completed a 3-point play from the freethrow line.
“Modaugay pa unta ‘mi kon wala natawagan og travelling si PJ. Pero ana gyod ang dula, breaks of the game lang,” said Junix Pajaron, who assisted Hengania and later the injured Jett Yaranon in mapping out the Metrobank’s strategic play.
For his feat, Go was named Most Valuable Player. He was joined in by Valencia and Yaranon and Metrobank’s Sanchez and Jawo Demicillo in the Mythical 5.
In the women’s volleyball championship, Team Black--comprised of RCBC and BPI spikers--blanked Team Red of BDO, 3-0 in their best-of-5 final series for the crown.
“Gagmay sila (Black) pero ilang reinforcement from BPI maayo gyod mopatay sa mga palo,” said Red team skipper Mafel Gatchalian, referring to erstwhile Mapua standout Jana Morial.
“Daghan sab kaayo among service error,” added Gatchalian.
The score:
Banco de Oro 68 -- Go 18, Valencia 13, Pagalan 11, Yaranon 10, Taboclaon 5, Cabahug 4, Lagasca 4, Murillo 3, Pabillore 0, Carretas 0, Pastor 0.
Metrobank 65 -- Sanchez 22, Velez 12, Lim 9, Demecillo 5, Hengania 5, Jao Jao 5, Cagaanan 2, Abarquez 2, Sabacahan 1, Gallares 1.