LAST season’s Tabor Cup finalists Stronghold White Pythons and Dyno Green Tigers go to each other’s throat in the Auto Planet-Dyno Cup basketball’s knockout games tonight at brgy. 24’s covered court here.
Bajao Jaguars and Elabram Lions dispute the other slot left for the top-4 round occupied earlier by the unbeaten FS Car Care Display Eagles and second-running Scorpions of team-manager Arnel Baba.
“Instead nga mag-tiebreak ang Dyno Tigers, Bajao Jaguars and Elabram Lions kon kinsa ang duha nga makasulod sa knockout round in the company of Stronghold Pythons and Barkadahan Bulldogs, ako na lang gi-give way among team nga maoy matagak uban sa Bongcawil Bulls kay useless di man gihapon gapanunga among mga players,” Bulldogs skipper Fred Pimentel told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
Reigning champions White Pythons of Rey Asuncion and Mel Heruela almost kissed their title-retention bid goodbye when they managed just one win in four matches. But veteran guard Emmanuel Mugot came to the rescue as the Pythons swept their last three game assignments against the Tigers, Bulldogs and Jaguars.
“It’s just a miracle nga naka-abot `mi sa knockout round. Our mind-set now is just to take the challenge one game at a time,” said Asuncion, still oozing with energy at 66 years old.
Tonight’s survivors will face the twice-to-beaten Eagles and Scorpions on Saturday’s semifinals. (LLS)