CEBU’s Cesafi champions Southwestern Phinma Cobras won’t go home without a fight as they muddled the chances of Parekoy Las Piñas’ imminent ascent to the top in the Tagoloan Open Invitational basketball tournament which culminates on Saturday, December 21, at the Tagoloan Dome of Misamis Oriental.
Cagayan de Oro native Red Cachuela finally suited up for Southwestern and backed Mamadou Lamine Moctar Thiam’s 27 points with his own 16 points in Phinma Cobras’ 91-83 steamrolling of the grizzled Parekoy on Friday morning.
Ageless Egay Billones (23), promising 21-year-old Jhun Posada (15), Andrew Estrella (15) and Lester Reyes (14) all scored in twin-digit numbers in Parekoy’s second-straight defeat.
They were still battling with the unbeaten KSB Glass Iligan as of December 20, 7 p.m., of which another defeat will put them in a possible triple-tie with Cebu Niños and SWU Phinma Cobras who locked horns in the nightcap of Friday’s triple-header matches.
“What has been interesting in the wildcard scenario is, if Cebu Niños would win over Southwestern Cobras. In this case, there’s a possibility that Las Piñas will be the one to take a vacation after the three-way logjam tiebreaker,” said Tagoloan sports czar Van Halen Parmis.
Referees head Joseph “Loloy” Estroga said the streaking KSB Iligan’s bout with Parekoy will not affect its eventual meeting with second-running Team Unity of Villanueva for the P150,000 top purse and championship trophy.
“Dili na maapas ang duha sa standing bisan pa mapildi ang Iligan sa ilang last elimination game. Even with a loss, Iligan and Team Unity are already well ahead to dispute the championship crown,” Estroga said.
The KSB Iligan, which added defense specialist Mark Yee in its roster, enjoyed quality minutes from local stars of Cagayan de Oro Jun Daanoy, Bodie Tamparong and Wellmonz Muñoz as well as Team Unity, beefed up by another Kagay-anon in former NCAA stalwart Jeff Morial in their previous outings.
Scores:
Southwestern Phinma Cobras, 91 – Thiam 27, Cachuela 16, Polican 16, Sanchez 11, Roncal 8, Imperial 6, Evardo 4, Boc 3.
Parekoy Las Piñas Manila, 83 – Billones 23, Estrella 15, Posada 15, Reyes 14, Tajonera 7, Caparida 7, Alpha 2.