WINNING is probably not on the top-most agenda of the PBA Legends reinforcing Team Trabaho of National Tesda Secretary Joel J. Villanueva.
Alvin “The Captain” Patrimonio and Kenneth Duremdes were both on the bench, casually watching Mayor Oscar S. Moreno’s Team Specialistas crawling back from behind in the fourth and final quarter to defeat the visiting PBA Legends, 138-133 on Thursday night at the Xavier University gym here.
“The night before, they beat Team Bambi Emano in Gingoog City by 8 points. Ngayon naman, nanalo ang host team. But it doesn’t matter kasi ang importante na nag-enjoy ang manonood,” said one Tesda guy sitting beside this writer on the PBA Legends’ bench.
Patrimonio’s only complain? “Ba’t d’yan sa scoreboard nasa home kami nakalagay eh kami ang bisita dito”.
The other former PBA greats who fueled the crowd’s excitement, especially in the picture-taking segment, were John Rodney Santos, Roberto “Bobby” Jose, Rizaldo “Zaldy” Realubit, Bal “The Flash” David Jr., Jerry Codiñera and the 6-foot-9 Marlou Aquino.
Tesda-10 regional office supervisor Kotie Bax said they were so happy by the response of the local cage buffs who almost filled the XU gym to the rafters.
“The game management is great. In Gingoog medyo gamay ra gyod ang venue daghan wala nakasulod,” added Realubit who was elated to see his cousin, ex-FEU Tamaraws guard Anton Pabillore in the crowd.
Mayor “Baseball Pass” Moreno “spoiled” his little red-hot shooter as expected. And so the PBA Legends as well, paving the way for the high-scoring night of Provincial Board Member Loloy Mugot who saw action in all four quarters to finish the game with 40 points.
Even the ageless Ed Ayunting, also a PB Member of Misamis Oriental, who played cat-and-mouse with the tallest guy on the floor (Aquino), was able to sink in a couple of 3-point baskets.
“Lami idula og balik pero lingaw ra gihapon nga manan-aw lang,” erstwhile PBA center and CdeO’s adopted son Dong Polistico had these words to say.
Backing Moreno’s team to victory were the dynamic troika of Bodie Tamparong, Jun Daanoy and Boning Biongcog whose speed and savvy were instrumental in eventually zapping the energy of their all-time PBA idols.
“Kinapos din si Secretary. Naubosan ng 3-point shots sa bandang huli,” his court jester, said.
Still, Villanueva shared the stat with Captain Marvel Duremdes at 20 points each, followed by Santos and Jose at 17 markers apiece.
In the curtainraiser, the Oro Shining Stars of coach Menes Anciado and Diding Rivera also came back strong in the final quarter to almost secure the win against the Green CdeO Eagles of team-playing managers Con-Air Gomez, `Baby James’ Abucejo, Arnel Baba and coach Ulysses Romulo.
“It was a very exciting game kay naay pressure so, thrilling kaayo ang outcome,” said Rivera after Waway “Vin Diesel” Arocha and newest recruit Jayranne Kerby n ”Nick” Bantawig hit a couple of Hail Mary treys in the dying seconds to save the Eagles, 94-94.