BALLPALS Orange Airron survived the gritty side of Ballpals Gray, 69-61 to arrange a best-of-three title showdown with defending champion Ballpals Black beginning on Saturday, November 23 at the open court of Pelaez Sports Center, Cagayan de Oro City.
Losing twice to Orange in the elimination round, the Jimboy Abrena-powered Gray dribblers got the chance to seek revenge when they earned the last spot for 40-up division in the semis knockout stage.
After erasing Orange’s double-digit lead in the early goings, Abrena and comapny were close to completing a revenge mission when they wrested the lead by 7 points in the third frame.
But Nanding Abapo, Balong Mabalot, Villaganas, Larry Bagayna and Ariel Sicad put their acts together on both ends of the floor to regain the momentum en route to challenging the streaking Black of Janjan Arcaya and Andy Sacabin anew for the 2nd President’s Cup Ballpals crown.
“Lisod sab diay peldihon ang Gray kay batan-on ug naay pagka-seasoned na ilang scorer (Abrena). Maayo na lang kay nagkasinabot sa play wala ni give up ang team,” later said Jerry “GAT” Tamayo, who along with Stev Panaz, focused more their target in guiding the Airron-backed Orange’s game plan.
Team Orange used to dominate Team Black in their first two championship bouts. But after stealing one at brgy. 24 covered court, the Black charges of club president Weng Mercado and retired police officer Archer Lingaton eventually gained ground especially that Ballpals now holds their regular games and inter-color tourneys back at their original homecourt--Palaro Center-- since almost two decades ago.
“Angayan sab ang Orange nga mo-rematch sa Black kay maskin mga edaran na basta kompleto lang ma-entertain gyod ang Black,” said tournament director Andit Mendoza, after observing that the wards of team-playing manager Dandan Guevara even managed to make it to the finals despite missing the services of lawyer Dodong Bonete, Vulture Balabat and Fortune Mendoza in their crucial matches.
In the 39-below level, Shian Galanida and the Black cagers are just one game away of nailing the title at the expense of Team Gray counterparts.
The score:
Ballpals Airron 69--Abapo 19, Mabalot 13, Villaganas 12, Bagayna 11, Sicad 8, Stev Panaz 4, Tamayo 2.
Ballpals Gray 61--Abrena 26, Layog 16, Terrado 9, Ronquillo 4, Efren 3, Ranque 3, Rondina 0.