Braves shock Tribu Sugbu to bag Pagadian leg crown

Former UV Green Lancer Michael Etrata fired 21 points as the North Cotabato Braves shocked the fancied Tribu Sugbu, 97-86, on Saturday night to win the Mayor Sammy Co Open Invitational Basketball Tournament at the jampacked Pagadian City gym.

Etrata and Rey Biñas combined for 38 big points for the Braves of Gov. Manny Piñol to frustrate Tribu Sugbu's attempt of a third straight pre-season crown.

Prior to their title match last Saturday, Tribu Sugbu was an overwhelming favorite as the Cebuanos routed the Braves 105-63 and 98-79 in their classification and semifinal meeting in the Valencia leg last week. North Cotabato ended up last with only one win to show.

But the Braves courageously beat the odds as they caught the Tribu Sugbu's defense napping in the fourth quarter. The Braves exploded for 26 points as against Tribu Sugbu's 10 in the final canto to win to complete a big turnaround.

Compounding the woes of the Skygo/Sirlitz-backed team of Lito Gillamac and Mario King was their offense turned sour in the payoff period in front of North Cotabato's scrappy defense.

Alex Cainglet and Doroteo Almacin topped Tribu Sugbu with 13 points apiece, while UV's Randy Sevilla and Kim Calo each had 10 points in a losing cause.

In the first game, home team Pagadian Explorers salvaged the third place as they held their ground against the Spring Cooking Oil, 97-90, in overtime.

Ronan Isidro led the Explorers with a game-high 24 points, while ex-pros Peter Naron and Leo Bat-og chipped in a combined 26 points.

The Cooking Oil Masters of NBC President Nathaniel "Tac" Padilla came out flat in the extra period as they were outscored by the home team, 16-9, to settle the outcome.

The next leg of the Nature's Spring-NBC pre-season series will shift to Cebu on January 26.

The tournament was also supported by Sulpicio Lines, Spring Cooking Oil, Molten and Prime Channel.