BAGUIO CITY – YMCA Baguio president Jerome Gawidan with other members of the Board of Directors and staff opened the 14th YMCA Cup Invitational Basketball Tournament last July 22, 2017, at the YMCA Gymnasium here.
In welcoming the participants, Gawidan thanked supporters of this year’s tournament. All in all, there are 33 teams in participation who were properly screened in accordance with their player compositions distributed in four brackets as follows:
Bracket “Y”(open) – Ruiz Optical Clinic, St. Andrews, Dope, Filambri, and awaiting entry of BENECO. Bracket “M” – Baguio Water District, Dacanay Print, Ruiz Optical Clinic –B, Reserves (IHG), Falcons, Town’s Pizza, Quest, Monday Ball Club, and Dos Ribos. Bracket “C” – Stingers, Knights, MTH Baguio, Inatech, Stallion, Kuya Ponz, Supreme, Bloothers, Boleroz and My Desk. Bracket “A” – Areved’s, Jumong, Comelec, BGH Employees, Suntrust, Organo Gold, Spears, Exercitus Dei, and Brotherhood.
Meanwhile the match-up between ROC and Filambri of bracket “Y” in the open division brought the audience to their feet, remembering that both ball clubs fought it out in the 12th YMCA Cup finals with Filambri on the losing end, now seeking redemption.
The first canto of play was exciting than the last as ROC came up with eight straight points in the opening minute and answered by a couple of triples by Filambri to tie the score. Continuous play got the teams hustling to be in the front seat, recording six deadlocks, before Filambri got the edge at the dying seconds of the first with two free throw shots and a bucket to take the lead, 24-20.
A low scoring second canto ensued that resulted with both teams limited in their field goal baskets. ROC outscored Filambri, 13-9, in the quarter due to their tight defense and hustling strategies to tie the ball game, 33-33, at the end of the first half buzzer.
The pressure in the second canto, began to take its toll on both teams’ speed, stamina and endurance in the third canto inning with them opting to use the three point area as well as perimeter shots. ROC took the upper hand on the first minutes after two three pointers. Another two three pointers in the dying minutes allowed them to hold on the lead at the end of the third, 54-50.
Filambri’s deeper bench complete line of players against six players of the ROC Squad with most players on the injury list, had its bearing in the final quarter. Even as their players were in foul trouble, ROC still pushed on. Behind by two points on the dying seconds, ROC’s last ditch of effort on a fast break attempt was spoiled and ended up giving a foul that sent Filambri to the free throw line where they converted both attempts to end the game four points, 75-79.
Team Jumong also marked their first win over Areveds for bracket “A” with a 72-58 victory.
By: BOBBY VINLUAN