BACK from two weeks’ break, the veterans-laden Joproch-Manny V tries to maximize the refreshing gap in the resumption of the 2016 Ballpals Inter-Color “Kuya Ed Gaabucayan Memorial Cup” on Saturday, November 5 at Barangay 24 covered court in Cagayan de Oro City.
Fronted by the vintage foursome of Bobby Diaz, Allan Enteria, Jongjong Aunzo and Jeckyl Dablo, Joproch hopes to arrest its skid against the Green CdeO Eagles in the curtain raiser set at 1 p.m.
“Sige’g practice silang Jeckyl ug Jong sa (Jeckyl ug Jong kept on practicing for) regular games with the latter even showing better form and fine shooting from the 3-point area,” said fellow Joproch mainstay Kulot Lubguban.
The only guest squad in the eight-team field, the Green CdeO Eagles of playing coach Ulysses Romulo is also raring to wiggle out from its own slump inflicted by Synob Jepoy and SunStar Baby James the last time around.
The Eagles are expected to field the formidable fivesome of Gilbert Magdugo, Loloy Gelogo, Waway Arocha, Marvin Neri, and Cyrus Diango in their starting lineup if only to make life difficult for the well-rested Joproch also built around the youthful Pagalan brothers, PJ, Aian and Brian.
The second match of the day will showcase the firepowers of the leading teams, Paterno rent a car and SunStar Baby James, followed by the Suroca Duplexx-Synob Jepoy tussle and the nightcap duel between FS Car Care Display and resurging Stronghold Insurance.
The Stronghold dribblers of 69-year-old wonder Rey Asuncion created ripple in their last outing when they scored a man-size upset against the Babart Acaylar-led Synob-Jepoy.
“Ako na’ng gi-text silang LoyCas (Casiño), Baloy (Fernandez) ug Ivan (Tongco) kay mobawi mi (I already texted LoyCas, Baloy and Ivan, we will have our revenge),” warned Acaylar, one of the time-tested Ballpals Club’s franchise players. (LLS)