INDEED, a monstrous comeback happened.
Playing heavily depleted, the Ballpals Green on Monday battled back from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to frustrate Ballpals Yellow, 90-89, and keep the solo lead in the club’s 2022 Anniversary Cup inter-color hoop fest at the Misamis Oriental Integrated Sports Complex in Cagayan de Oro City.
With Yellow up by one, 89-88 in the waning seconds of play, Larry Bagayna hit a pair of pressure-packed free throws for the sudden reversal of fortune as Green kept the solo lead midway through the second elimination round at a 6-1 win-loss ledger.
“Dako kaayong kalipay sa beteranong athlete sama kanako nga makapadaug during intense moments labi na sa free throw line mora mobata atong edad,” said Bagayna of his feat.
Starting the rescheduled match with only five players available, Green found an unlikely lifesaver in the smallest guy in the league Stev Panaz who erupted for 18 points at the half to pummel the 10-man Yellow team by 12 points.
But that could be their last hurrah as the equally-reliable Brian Gayramara, Froilan Mabalot, Mawe Odchigue, and Bagayna also ran out of gas entering the final half.
“Nilabaw lage og dose pero malatos na ‘mi nila adto kon wala niabot ang duha,” Gayramara said, referring to the explosive forward Owen Ubay-Ubay who came halfway of third and Jimboy ‘Panalay’ Abrena who reinforced in the exciting fourth and final quarter.
Both Gayramara and Ubay-Ubay also sizzled in twin-digit figures that mattered most in slowly overcoming Yellow anchored by the towering troika of Raymond Nuñez, Jongjong Reñus, and Edward Baculio, backcourt duo of Joseph Sumanga, and Marlou Guevarra.
Coming from an ego-tripping debacle at the hands of Ballpals White, 54-72 last weekend, the Ballpals Maroon still hang on the second spot at 4-2, followed by Gray (3-4), White (2-4), and Yellow (1-5).
The Ven Camon and Suyao Trucking-backed Green dribblers (formerly Orange) are seeking a rare four-straight title win in the prestigious Ballpals caging.
