BUKIDNON Faith School of Valencia City defeated Ballhood of Cagayan de Oro City, 89-81 to capture the first ever Tailor Made-Gear Up Basketball League on Sunday night, December 22, at Barangay Gusa gym, Cagayan de Oro City.
The BFS dribblers of coaches Brande Martinez and Ronald Salub leaned on the fourth quarter heroics of most valuable player and Mythical Five Awardee RJ Colonia to keep their unblemished record and bag the championship trophy of the three-day tourney organized by coach Arvin Martinez and Olivia Saab Willcomm of Tailor Made, among the prime sports uniform makers in the City of Golden Friendship.
Colonia scored crucial 12 points, even as Axil Cordero paced Bukidnon Faith with 21 markers.
For the host team, at least three players Emmanuel Dumadag, Vince Cumba and John Adrian Te finished with 16 points each. But the efforts were not enough to reverse the outcome of the match as Southern Philippine College Sharks’ junior big man Dave MacGinley managed just four points.
Meanwhile, Malaybalay Spearheads clipped the Bukidnon Sparrows, 87-72 to claim the third place trophy. Mythical Five awardee Jhun Alquizalas top-scored for Malaybalay with 15 points. Other Mythical Five awardees were Francis Earl Solis of Zamboanga del Sur National High School, Jessie Puyos of the Sparrows, and John Adrian Te of Ballhood.
Coach Gang team of Iligan City got the Team Sportsmanship award, while Fermel Lapiz of the Sparrows won the Sportsmanship player award.
Former San Miguel Beerman bigman Bitoy Omolon was the guest speaker during the awarding ceremonies held at the Loreto’s Grill downtown. Omolon, now coaching in General Santos City, inspired the players and parents through his 30-minute long talk.
He narrated how a nobody in high school became a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player in 2004 until his retirement in 2016. He told them that to be successful in basketball, a player must be focused, hard worker, and coachable. “I started late as a player but I worked hard and listened to my coaches. I was serious also in my studies and then as a player,” he said.
A native of Talakag, Bukidnon, Omolon was drafted 8th overall in the 2004 PBA draft that included Rich Alvarez, Marc Pingris, James Yap, Ranidel de Ocampo, Gary David, Sonny Thoss, and Wesley Gonzales. He also had stints with Meralco Bolts, Air 21 and ended his career with San Miguel Beer.
Omolon also talked about his rejection by the Southwestern University in Cebu when he tried out for the team. The rejection turned out to be a blessing in disguise as he landed in the Philippine Christian University Dolphins in Manila where he blossomed to become a star player.
The scores:
Championship
Bukidnon Faith Valencia 89 -- Axil Cordero 21, Reingheart Colonia 12, Edward Neil Villarta 11, Jared Jesus Yamut 10, John Frits Pedros 9, Mac Hyro Jenodia 6, Kirk Nuhlan CaÑete 5, Darylle CardeÑo 4, Chris Estrella 4, Howard Adam Yap 3, Sean Summer Galvadores 2, Clin Timothy Conde 2.
Ballhood Cagayan de Oro 81 -- Emmanuel Dumadag 16, Vince Cumba 16, John Adrian Te 16, Simon Maghinay 12, Miguel Neri 8, Dave McGinley 4, John Solis 2, Reyson Reyes 1.
Second game for third place
Malaybalay Spearheads 87 -- Alquizalas 15, R. Rozaldo 11, Prochilin 10, Cuenco 10, Ocampo 10, Balduman 7, Sabuga 5, Asumen 5, Yap 4, J. Rosaldo 4, E. Rozaldo 2, Baribao 2, Manlawe 2,
Bukidnon Sparrows 72 -- Lapiz 13, Agripo 10, Mabaylan 9, Berou 9, Puyos 8, Gamolo 6, Ananoria 5, Ulanday 4, Mancawan 3, Presores 2, Nietes 2.