Tigbas cops 9th cage title

TIGBAS basketball, anchored by some members of Xavier University’s 2007 senior varsity team, defeated Stampede, 92-82 during the Club 92 championship game held recently at Macasandig village covered court in Cagayan de Oro City.

Even with new faces in their roster, the Tigbas dribblers still relied on the core group of Jay Anthony Cortes, Michael Lee Paayas and the Cabanes brothers (Bryan, Kentoy and Raffy) as their heart and soul for another successful title run.

Against Stampede, a strong contender in separate WBC League over at nearby Nazareth gym, Tigbas pressed hard on defense as it lagged behind most of the time with the sweet-shooting Villaroel bombarding them with an array of baskets.

In the homestretch, however, Kenny Lago and Dongkoy Sagun took matters in their hands leading Tigbas to its 9th title win in the Shake 2017-Club 92 Basketball League.

Lago’s spirited play in the pivotal period also earned for him the most valuable player trophy.

“Pero si Jaycorts gyod ang lucky charm kay permi daug basta siya ang team leader,” said the club’s godfather cum adviser Anton Pabillore of Cortes, easily Club 92’s only player with the most number of championship rings to his name.

It was a beautiful blend on the floor with the general skills of Cabanes, the dominance of Cortes in the paint and the outside shooting of Paayas and Sherwin Calang.

“With everybody knowing their respective roles, altogether they pulled off a Game 2 win (92-82) in favor of Tigbas basketball,” Pabillore further told SunStar Cagayan de Oro.

The Shake 2017–Club 92 Basketball League was made possible, thanks to the efforts of tournament organizer Raffy James Cabanes and Pamboi Edrote. (LLS)