WITH the Ballpals club’s pride greatly at stake, SunStar BB James bucked the odds, defeating the heavily-favored guest squad Green CdeO Eagles, 84-81 to rule the 2016 Ballpals Inter-Color "Kuya Ed Gaabucayan Memorial Cup" concluded in Cagayan de Oro City on Saturday, December 10, at Barangay 24 covered court.
The only team among the top 4, carrying a twice-to-beat advantage, that fell in the first volley of quarterfinals’ skirmishes, practically nobody expects the SunStar charges of "Baby James’ Abucejo and Stev Panaz to emerge triumphant again in the annual Ballpals hoopfest.
But survive they did, steamrolling the youth-laden FS Car Care Display in their rubber match, 70-60; then sending back to earth the No.1 seed Paterno Rent A Car in the knockout semifinal round via overtime play,88-85.
“Actually, Paterno had many chances to advance but Darwin Josol flubbed a potential game-winning lay-up. Bimboy Daanoy was hot on fire and so Eyo Moreno in the fourth and final quarter against the Green CdeO Eagles. But it was Ayok Pablero’s rejection of another go-ahead basket by Josol with barely 6 seconds left that saved us in the thrilling semis tiff,” said veteran SunStar guard Fernando Abapo, who did not show up in the semis’ first three quarters marred by power interruption in the village of Consolacion, but was a big help when games resumed at Ballpals homecourt in Barangay 24 the next Saturday, December 17.
Against the Green CdeO Eagles of playing coach Ulysses Romulo, the SunStar dribblers apparently squandered a 7-point lead when they lapsed into erratic play in the killer stretch.
In fact, the Eagles’ fivesome of Gilbert Magdugo, Cyrus Diango, Marvin Neri, Waway Arocha and Daryll Timkang held a 2-point lead, 81-79 forcing Sun.Star to call for a timeout with only 11 seconds left.
In their final huddle, Abucejo urged everyone just to pray hard for their last hurrah. In the dying seconds, the last pack of survivors from at least seven Ballpals teams battling the mighty Eagles also drew strength from the ever supportive brgy. 24 crowd. Amazingly, the "prayer coaching" worked wonder as Pablero, the "Pistoliro" from Talakag, fired a booming trey then Daanoy stole off a Green CdeO turnover that set the tone for Galanida to add two points more from the free throw line that were never answered.
For scoring 20 points each in the semis and the finals, Galanida -- who earlier won the Yes FM 3-point shootout worth P2,000 -- thus collared the most valuable player (MVP) award.
“Pero para kanako, kami tanan sa team ang MVPs kay halos tanan ni-contribute (For me everyone of us is MVP since we all contribute). From Daanoy, Moreno, Alcover, Vallecera, Abapo to Pablero and to Kevin Escobal and JR Madrigal nga wala nakadula sa (who were not able to play in) finals because of work-related hindrances. Gani, lugi mi sa second ug third quarter nga tapada pero nangiskor si Rabanes (Reynante) ug Salgados (Lynde) mao nga wala sila naka-inat. Epektibo sab kaayo ang prayer coaching ni Baby James (Actually, we we're losing on the second and third quarter but Rabanes and Salgados scored, making them behind),” Galanida said in ecstasy.
Madam Tina Floirendo Gaabucayan, kuya Ed’s widow, helps tournament director Dodong Caballero in presiding the simple awarding ceremony that follows shortly later.
Salgados, who is also the club president, acknowledged Barangay 24 chair Placido Floirendo, the referees headed by Danilo Jaminal, Baby James Abucejo and fellow club officers for the success of the tournament.
He also expressed personal thanks to Ed Gustilo, Jerry Tamayo, Arnel Baba, Dads Uyangurin, Anjun Gomez, Dr. Wilbourne Neri and Manny Villanueva of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, as well as Barangay 23 chair Jaime Frias III, Barangay 17 chieftain Danilo Guevara, Kagawad Manong dela Cruz and the venue’s holdover Caloy Valcurza for the usual support.
The score:
Sun.Star BB James 84—Galanida 20, Daanoy 13, Moreno 12, Alcover 8, Pablero 7, Salgados 4, Rabanes 4, Acaylar 3, Abucejo 2, Vallecera 1, Abapo 0, Valledor 0. (Anton Pabillore)