CEBU, Philippines – Barangays Tilhaong and Polog terminated their rivals to barge into the finals of their respective divisions in the 5th Mayor Teresa P. Alegado Mayor's Cup Fiesta Basketball League at the Cansaga gym in Consolacion, Cebu.
Tilhaong overcame a slow start to turn back Garing, 52-50, and proceed into the championship round of the SK Category B, while playing coach Ian Flores nailed the winning basket as Polog prevailed over Garing in overtime, 75-73, to grab the first finals berth in the Inter-Barangay Senior Category B.
Tilhaong councilor Regie Lutao, who also calls the shots for his team, was very emotional after their victory as it was Garing who eliminated them last year. The score was actually tied at 50-all with only 22 seconds left to play, but Dumaguit scored on a barreling drive at the final buzzer to lift Tilhaong into cloud nine.
On the other hand, Polog barangay councilor Ian Flores cooly dropped a put-back off his own offensive rebound with only three ticks remaining in the extra five-minute period to vault his side to a close, yet breath-taking triumph.
Both Tilhaong and Polog are already ensured of twice-to-beat incentives as they wait for their finals opponents.
Fully supported by the local government of Consolacion under the dynamic leadership of Mayor Teresa ‘Nene’ Alegado and Vice Mayor Rey Damole, the sporting event is co-chaired by municipal councilors Nilo Ferraren and Boy Tibon and ABC President Marilou Casul.
The games are supervised by Paul Alelu Q. Flores, a former star of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws during his UAAP days, assisted by technical committee head Aurelio Eslawan.
The scores
SK Category B
Tilhaong (52) – Goc-ong 17, Daño 10, R. Apao 8, Dumaguit 6, J. Apao 6, H. Cabahug 2, Tibon 2, Cabahug 1
Garing(50) – Alimpoos 19, R. Ylaya 14, Ylaya 8, Lacandula 5, Alimoren 2, Tundag 2
Quarterscores: 12-15;25-23;42-33;52-50
Inter-Barangay (seniors)
Polog (75) – Owatan 15, Pepito 14, Tura 11, Padayogdog 8, Flores 8, Sasing 7, Mangilaya 6, Pepito 4, Reuyan 2
Garing (73) – Pardillo 18, Villanca 14, Lauron 12, Luperte 7, Ermac 6, Alivio 5, Nudalo 5, M. Ermac 4, Ermac 1, Duron 1
Quarterscores: 13-11;31-26;49-38;75-73. — EBV (FREEMAN)