ENJOYING both sports and tourism’s great bounty, the Green CdeO Eagles returned home triumphant from its first ever basketball campaign in the paradise island of Camiguin.
Despite playing with a lot of veterans, the Green Eagles of club president Anjun Gomez and vice president Arnel Baba persevered through sheer experience and street-smart agility to outlast the Xavier Boys of playing coach Arvin Martinez on Saturday’s championship match, 91-78, of the First Kapitan Toping Rodriguez Cup at the jam-packed Bonbon covered court in Catarman, Camiguin.
Fronted by the 6-foot-6 Paul Siarot, formerly with Ateneo de Manila University and erstwhile Loyola Cup MVP Red Cachuela, the Xavier Boys succeeded in putting the Green Eagles’ own big men into foul trouble.
In fact, with Wawang Labuntog’s gun kept ablaze from afar, the Xavier Boys seemed heading to dominate the fourth and final quarter as the Green’s pair of ageless centers Rodelio Gelogo and Rex Armojallas were both slapped with five personal fouls each to settle on the bench.
The 6-foot-4 Crisdele Gabe, the last man standing in the middle who was instrumental in the Eagles’ pulsating win on Friday’s semis duel with the hard-fighting host Camiguin, was also hobbled by four fouls as well as starting pointguard Elvis Pahilan.
But the Eagles’ reliable tandem of Bodie Tamparong and John Rey Cadano took charge in the final minutes, making 3-point baskets and essaying one-on-one situation to neutralize the Xavier Boys’ comeback bid from as much as 15-point deficit.
“Ma foul trouble gyod `ta kay higante ilang sentro. Maayo na lang kay sakto sa abilidad ang mga kuya. Mora’g naa say talent sa UFC among duha,” Gomez said in jest, obviously referring to "crowd-darling" Gelogo and Waway Arocha.
The Eagles’ coaching staff had also categorically cited Armojallas, who arrived in Camiguin with his family just in time of the 5 p.m. title showdown.
Not only a boon in defense, Armojallas fired a couple of 3-pointers when left wide-open and sank in easy jumpers before taking the bench with still four minutes to go with his fifth foul.
“I think, disgrasya 'ta sa championship kon wala niabot si Kuya Rex kay hurot-hurot gani sa foul ang mga sentro nga nakadula siya,” said Engr. Baba.
Camiguin hoopfest promoter Andy Calingin and sponsor Kapitan Toping Rodriguez congratulated the Green CdeO Eagles’ winning squad also made up of Dr. Welbourne Neri, Balong Mabalot, Richelieu del Castillo, Sol Mercado, Stev Panaz and primary supporters Kuya Jong Caparoso and Kuya Jilch James Manganar with Kuya Jizel Jison, Kuya Ervin John Donato, Kuya Archie and Kuya Selim Borongan.
“We’re so proud of the Green CdeO Eagles basketball team. We got the championship, we explored Mantigue island and all and had a better taste of adobong pantihan. It’s really an enjoyable weekend,” said Manganar’s ever jolly partner Ate Joyce Rodriguez. (LLS)