BALLPALS Orange Warriors missed some of their key players. But the return of youthful Shian "Westbrook" Galanida in their frontline had propelled the Dandan Guievarra-skippered Warriors to back-to-back championship win in the storied inter-color rivalry of the time-tested Ballpals club.
The Ballpals Orange recently overpowered perennial championship foe Ballpals Black of Wingmark Mercado and Archer Lingaton, 58-45, to win the crown of the club's 29th Anniversary tourney at the Palaro Sports Center in Cagayan de Oro City.
With the fivesome of Nanding Abapo, Ven Camon Shimomae, GAT Tamayo, Baltazar Villaganas and Stev Panaz around, the Ballpals Orange also defeated the same opponent during the 2nd President's Cup last year.
"Yes, we've just done it. There were unavoidable circumstances that prevented some of our key players to see action in the Anniversary Cup. But the return of Galanida who was part of our early success and the brilliant performance of Ariel Sicad and Balong Mabalot with the able support of Larry Bagayna and Dong Bonete was a big help to another title finish," said the ageless Guevarra.
Hurting the most Ballpals Black's chance to regain the glory it held some two years ago was the late arrival of the team's "heart and soul" Janjan Arcaya.
"You know, Janjan is an active barangay kagawad and at that time nag-attend siya og barangay assembly wala na kasapon sa dula pag-abot niya sa sports center," Ballpals old guard and fellow barangay kagawad Jojo Udasco told SunStar Cagayan de Oro.
The streak-shooting Galanida and the hard-working Sicad led Ballpals Orange with 16 points each as Mabalot and newcomer Mauricio added 11 and 9 markers apiece.
Ballpals Black got 15, 12 and 8 points each from Rosal, Joseph Sumanga and Michael Pamisa.
"Actually, dili na unta makalahos ang Ballpals Orange sa final after gilatos namo sila'g 13 points in third quarter of the crossover round. Suwerte lang gyod sila nga naka-apas," said Jimboy "Panalay" Abrena of Ballpals Red.
Just like Team Black Spiders in their previous reign, tournament director Andit Mendoza said the Orange Warriors may remain intact in the 3rd President's Cup for an unprecedented Grandslam bid.
"Ang team Orange lang ang dili bungkagon for a chance pud nila nga maka-grandslam," Mendoza said.
The veterans-laden Warriors forestalled Team Black's own grandslam attempt during the 2nd President's Cup which saw them charging back from 34-point third quarter deficit to complete a historic come-from-behind victory in double overtime plays.
The score:
Ballpals Orange 58 -- Galanida 16, Sicad 16, Mabalot 11, Mauricio 9, Bagayna 2, Guevarra 2, Waban 2, Bonete 0.
Ballpals Black 45 -- Rosal 15, Sumanga 12, Pamisa 8, Escobido 6, Lumongsod 4, Sacabin 0, Jadap 0.