WITH just one win to show and its reliable center nowhere in sight, depending champion Stronghold White Pythons deemed fit to head the exit door. When all of a sudden, the new-found tandem of Mel Heruela and Emmanuel Mugot did wonder on the floor to save the struggling Pythons of playing coach Rey Asuncion from having an early vacation.
The White Pythons emerged victorious in their last two outings—with defense specialist Heruela and the clutch-shooting Mugot around-- to remain in contention in the exciting Auto Planet-Dyno Cup basketball tournament at brgy. 24’s covered court here.
“From the start, feel gyod ni sir Mel nga maayo ang lakaw sa team kon mag-uban sila ni kagawad Mugot,” said the 66-year-old wonder Asuncion whose 3-point bombing was also essential in the White Pythons’ latest triumph.
Heruela fired the first 3-point basket that sparked the Pythons’ hard-earned win over the Barkadahan Bulldogs.
Then, on the night when it tangled with last season finals rival Dyno Tigers, Mugot hit a crucial trey that set the tone for the Pythons’ nightmarish escape, 60-55 and erect a promising 3-3 win-loss slate.
“Puso lang gyod puso in situation like that kay seconds remaining na lang,” Mugot later told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
“Mora’g na-challenge pud si Kagawad (Mugot) kay si manager ang nangigo una sa tres,” said Auto Planet-Tabor Cup MVP Andy Sacabin, referring to Asuncion’s 3 of 4 showing from the rainbow sphere.
Arman Bajao and Sacabin led the Pythons with 15 and 10 points each as Asuncion, Artajo and Mugot came up with a combined 25.
Bajao Jaguars also crawled out from the cellar with an emphatic 94-76 beating of the Bongcawil Bulls, even as the unbeaten AUB Eagles and solid title-contender Scorpions of team manager Arnel Baba hammered out separate 76-53 and 65-62 victories over the Barkadahan Bulldogs and Red Lions.
The scores:
Stronghold Pythons 60—Bajao 15, Sacabin 10, Asuncion 9, Artajo 8, Mugot 8, Salgados 7, Tapdasan 3.
Dyno Green Tigers 55—Docdoc 20, Laranjo 18, Abrena 5, Arquita 3, Valdehueza 3, Cadiz 2, Amparo 2, Mabulay 2.
2nd game
Bajao Jaguars 94—Bajao 29, Arbas 26, Bahian 26, Alburo 24, Febrero 4, Romulo 3, Edrolin 2.
Bongcawil Bulls 76—Pajo 28, Ednay 18, Legaspi 10, Bongcawil 10, Vacalares 10.
3rd game
AUB Eagles 76—Enriquez 22, Laranjo 15, Daitol 12, Gustilo 12, Siñel 10, Quintos 9.
Barkadahan Bulldogs 53—Ministerio 17, Aguilar 13, Pimentel Sr. 9, Meralles 6, Pimentel Jr. 6, Sabanal 2.
4th game
Scorpions 65—Neri 28, Butatil 10, Cagalawan 10, Go 4, Ortiz 4, Cid 4, Salon 3, Cabatuan 2.
Red Lions 62—Solidum 17, Levita 13, Butron 9, Daitol 9, Pabilona 4, Wilkom 2, Balabag 2.