Dablo, Pajantoy power Olkas past Ilihan in Lou Ornopia caging

CEBU, Philippines - Rising Cebuano hardcourt star John Pajantoy tossed in 16 of his 20 points in the final quarter to power Team Olkas to a scrappy 80-75 win over Ilihan at the start of the 1st Lou Ornopia Basketball Tournament over the weekend at the Calambua open court in Calambua, San Remigio north of Cebu.

Jei Dablo charted a game-high 36 points, but it was Pajantoy, a varsity player from the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras, who provided the endgame spark that propelled Olkas to a five-point escape.

Pajantoy is best remembered for being the surprise hero in SWU's winning the CESAFI collegiate championship last year, beating the powerhouse University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers in the deciding match of their epic best-of-five series.

Before Pajantoy took matters into his own hands, Dablo took charge of Olkas' offensive chores, pouring in 11 markers in a 19-12 run that gave them a four-point headway at halftime, 35-31.

The spirited cagers from Ilihan staged a daring fightback in the closing minutes of the contest, but Pajantoy played the fireman's role for the Olkas side.

Ronald Romagos topscored for Ilihan with 31 points.

In the first game, the Big Boss of San Miguel breathe fire from start to finish to scorch the Lamac Niños, 73-51.

San Miguel actually trailed by a hairline after the first period, 14-15, but retaliated with a 22-14 spurt to seize full control of the match at the bend, 36-29. They outscored Lamac in the third canto, 18-13, before closing the match with a 19-9 bang for the 22-point blowout.

The month-long tilt, which is among the highlights of Calambua's annual fiesta in honor of its beloved patron San Vicente Ferrer on April 13, dangles close to P30,000 in cash prize to the top performing teams. The champion will pocket 10,000, while the second to fourth placers will take home P7,000, P5,000, and P3,000.

Supervised by commissioner Gumersindo Jubay, Jr., the games are being officiated by Rabbi Aranduga, Dondon Ferolino and Shonnel Patalinghug.

Presented by the entire barangay council of Calambua in partnership with MS Motosuit, the event is also supported by Bradder Motor Access, F & F Motor Parts, RMO Motor Parts, Prospeed, Motomaze, JCO Motor Parts, Keiz BJ Motors, Leizel Navarez, Anong Lumapas, Jerry Samarita, Vincent Golden and the families of Saludar, Ycot, Ornopia, Montealto, Armenion, Jubay, and De la Peña.

The scores

First game

San Miguel (73) - Argawanon 20, Catadman 19, Arnado 10, Armenion 10, Pantaleon 8, Illustrisimo 6

Lamac (51) - Pogado 22, R. Ornopia 15, KJ Cinco 8, K Cinco 4, JK Cinco 2

Second game

Olkas (80) - Dablo 36, Pajantoy 20, Demana 10, B. Jubay 4, J. Jubay 4, Obligado 4, Abao 2

Ilihan (75) - Romagos 31, Guaun 16, Neis 11, Ruba 10, Ducante 3, Monterola 2, Ornopia 2 (FREEMAN)