SUNSTAR BB James on Saturday survived a classic battle with the top-seeded Paterno Rent A Car in overtime, 88-85 to earn the right to face the Green CdeO Eagles in the championship of the 2016 Ballpals Inter-Color "Kuya Ed Gaabucayan Memorial Cup" at Barangay 24 covered court in Cagayan de Oro City.
Entering the unfinished fourth quarter match with a 2-point deficit, 55-57, the VoxPop dribblers of James Abucejo and Stev Panaz had an erratic start giving Paterno a chance to pad the lead to five, 60-55. But Shian Galanida hit a couple of 3-pointers and Fernando Abapo made a crucial steal off Dan Martinez to spark VoxPop’s fierce comeback that forced a deadlock at the end of the regulation period.
Darwin Josol and Arvin Martinez were hot on fire early in the 5-minute extension that saw Paterno in full control. But Ayok "The Pistolero" Pablero and Galanida led another VoxPop uprising, aided by a costly missed lay-up by Josol, that broke the heart of the favored wards of Jasper Paterno and Archer Lingaton.
“Sakit kaayo nga kapildehan kay pandaug na `tong lay-up ni Josol nakusgan lang og piktos,” later said Paterno, whose Ballpals team was also No.1 last year when it crash-landed in the crossover round.
Galanida paced VoxPop with 20 points, while Kevin Escobal had 16 despite missing the fourth-quarter action due to work-related reason. Jil Vallecera and Bimboy Daanoy added 14 and 11 markers apiece. LLS
Paterno got 21, 20 and 18 points each from last conference’s MVP Joel Palatan, Josol and Arvin Martinez.
In the exhibition game with 2,000 pot money, FS Car Care Display of Ed Gustilo got the better of Soruca Duplexx of Joseph Sumanga and Bong Mercado, 44-37.
Incoming Arellano University rookie Austin Mutya top-scored FS Care with 13 points while getting a lot of help from Christopher Carretas on defense. Duplexx got 17 markers from Charles Abada.
The scores:
VoxPop BB James 88 - Galanida 20, Escobal 16, Vallecera 14, Daanoy 11, Pablero 7, Abucejo 6, Moreno 5, Acaylar 4, Salgados 2, Madrigal 2, Valledor 2, Alcover 0, Guevara 0, Ebalang 0.
Paterno Rent A Car 85 - Palatan 21, Josol 20, Martinez A. 18, Aquillo 9, Martinez D. 7, Ampong 2, Rafols 2, Valcurza 2, Jadap 0, Comandante 0, Lingaton 0, Dullen 0.