Malaybalay City–The Weekend Basketball League (WBL) highlighted its 8th Anniversary and Christmas Party with a 2-day basketball tournament played at the Barangay 1 Covered Court last November 30 and December 1, 2007. More than forty players showed up for the said event which was organized by the committee to further foster the camaraderie of the group. WBL was first established in 1999 and is now hailed as the longest running basketball organization in Malaybalay.
The group was divided into four teams through draw lots with the players’ respective playing positions taken into consideration. A double-round elimination format was then used for the tournament.
Friday’s first game was a tight match between Team 3 and Team 4. It was a close game all throughout with both teams exchanging lead a number of times. Team 4 tried to breakaway in the third period through the scoring of Dan Gamad, Odi Montefalcon and Russell Opiala but Team 3’s Roy Lanayan rallied his team with his dominance inside the paint. Team 4, however, proved steadier in the end to hack out a 76-72 win. In the second game, Papo Bolivia and Jerson Jamurol triggered a second half blitz that broke a close game wide open and lead Team 1 to a convincing 76-64 win over Team 1. In the afternoon’s loser vs loser match, Toto Bionson exploded for 29 points and Ronny Gamao and Roy Rambuyon combined for 32 as Team 2 dealt Team 3 its second straight defeat, 87-70. Team 3 eventually bombed out of contention with the loss. In the winner vs winner game, Team 4 once again showed its end game composure and squeak past Team 1, 81-80. With the win, Team 4 clinched the first finals slot while Team 1 dropped to a do-or-die match versus Team 2.
In Saturday’s knock-out game, Team 1recovered from its heartbreaking Friday loss and once again defeated Team 2, 74-66. Team 2 actually started the game hot with Bionson, Gamao and Rambuyon at the helm, as they sprinted to a 15-0 first quarter lead. Team 1, however was quick to recover through the fastbreak attacks of Bolivia and Nonoy Estardo. Calvin Balmocena came off the bench and scored five straight points to give Team 1 the lead, 18-17 at the end of the first quarter. From there on, Team 1 consistently staved off Team 2’s persistent come backs and held on for the win that granted them the right to face Team 4 in the winner-take all finals. After a brief rest, the championship game was played with the visibly tired Team 1 opting to start its second unit to give the regular starters more rest. Team 4 expectedly exploited the mismatches with Montefalcon, Opiala and Dodoy Sulinay scoring almost unopposed several times. In the second quarter, Team 1 mounted a fierce come back that managed to cut the margin within one. Fatigue factor, however, took its toll in the second half. Team 4 playing head coach Pernel Laurito ordered a full court trapping defense to his troops that finally zapped the energy out of Team 1. Late in the fourth quarter, Balmocena and Dodong Pechon hit back-to-back triples to bring Team 1 back into the game. However, consecutive keyhole jumpers from Team 4’s Frankie Azores diffused Team 1’s late rally. Team 4 eventually won the championship with a 75-67 score.
After the championship game, the group partake the food and drinks prepared by the committee. WBL organizers credited the success of the event to the cooperation of its members and the generosity ofthe following sponsors: Malaybalay City Mayor Florencio “Doc Boy” Flores Jr., Mr. Ben Velos, Dr. Dan Gamad, Mr. Loloy Amba, Mr. Toto Sayson, Mr. Dodong Pechon of Yoly’s Fastfood, LBP Bukidnon LC through Manager Eden B. Japitana and Mr. & Mrs. Tony Gonzales of Arbeit Poultry Farm.
The scores:
November 30, 2007
1st Game:
Team 4-76 Gamad 18,Opiala 18, Montefalcon 14, Azores 6, Crusio 5, Parchamento 5, Vinson S. 4, Vinson J. 2, Laurito 2, Sulinay 2
Team 3-72 Lanayan 21,Belderol 15, Jacutin 12, Bagasbas 6. Jamis 6, Cudal 5, Vinson 5, Cañete 2
2nd Game:
Team 1-76 Bolivar 16, Bolivia 11, Jamurol 11, Estardo 9, Libago 8, Rambuyon 6, Libao 5, Ermita 4, Balmocena 2, Arias 2, Dueñas 2
Team 2-64 Bionson 22, Rambuyon 14, Guerrero 9, Amba 6, Lumacang 5, Gamao 4, Magno 2, Juntilla 2
3rd Game:
Team 2-87 Bionson 29, Gamao 22, Rambuyon 10, Lumacang 10, Magno 6, Samuntao 6, Cervantes 2, Guerrero 2
Team 3-70 Bagasbas 13, Lanayan 11, Cudal 10, Guerrero 10, Jamis 8, Jacutin 8, Belderol 6, Velos 2,Vinson 2
4th Game
Team 4-81 Montefalcon 27, Opiala 16, Vinson S. 13, Gamad 12, Azores 6, Crusio 3, Vinson J. 2, Laurito 2
Team 1-80 Estardo 26, Bolivar 20, Bolivia 10, Jamurol 9, Rambuyon 8, Libago 5, Balmocena 2
December 1, 2007
Knock-Out Game
Team 1-74 Estardo 23, Bolivia 20, Bolivar 17, Rambuyon 9, Balmocena 5
Team 2-66 Bionson 24, Gamao 18, Magno 8, Rambuyon 6, Lumacang 6, Neri 2, Juntilla 2
Championship:
Team 4-75 Opiala 17, Montefalcon 14, Gamad 10, Sulinay 9, Azores 9, Vinson S. 8, Laurito 4, Parchamento 2, Vinson J. 2
Team 1-67 Bolivar 22, Rambuyon 14, Bolivia 10, Estardo 8, Pechon 6, Jamurol 4, Balmocena 3
