NOT even the prevailing pandemic could stop Team Orange from completing its first-ever grand slam finish in the season-ending 2021 Conference of the storied Ballpals Inter-Color tourney in Cagayan de Oro City.

The Orange hoopsters of team-playing managers Ven Camon Shimomae, Jerry Suyao, and Jerry Tamayo turned down the challenge of the youth-powered Team Red, 75-57 to win the club’s Christmas and 30th Year Anniversary Games at the Macanhan covered court in Barangay Carmen, over the weekend.

Former Cagayan de Oro basketball hotshot Christopher Carretas showed that he still had a little left in his arsenal when he top-scored again for the Orange vets with 18 points.

Reliable center Erwin Raagas and Allan Enteria, the oldest player in the finals at 50-something, backed Carretas with 10 and 8 markers apiece.

Team Red, which surprised perennial finalist Black in the semis, got 14,10 and eight points each from Yulie Naguita, Badon Caberte, and Titing Patlunag in their futile effort to deny a determined Orange side of a historic grand slam feat.

A few years ago, Orange was on the brink of dominating Ballpals hoop fest three conferences in a row. But Team Black of club president Wingmark Mercado paraded the likes of Janjan Arcaya, Rex Armojallas, Andit Sacabin, and Nanding Abapo to frustrate Orange on its third try over at the Barangay 24 covered court.

Not this time as Shimomae assembled the oldies but goodies Ballpals original on his team ― including Janjan Hengania, Charome Marte, Dandan Guevara, Anton Pabillore, Balong Mabalot, Stev Panaz, Larry Bagayna, and Jetmark Mercado ― plus the youthful foursome of Owen Ubay-Ubay, Jay Buot, Jimmy Abrena, and Juntax Yonson.

“Akong gisakripisyo akong kaugalingon nga mag-focus na lang sa coaching kay damgo gyod namo nga makab-ot ang grand slam,” Shimomae said.

The Red dribblers of Bongmark Mercado managed to inch closer in the third quarter behind Naguita and Patlunag's short jumpers and Bobong Cabatuan scoring from underneath.

But Pabillore, Hengania, and Ubay-ubay fortified their grips on the backcourt plays to set the tone for Orange’s smoother offensive ploy up to the payoff period.

“Bahala’g gamay ra score basta di lang mabulabog ang team play,” was Pabillore’s point.

For Hengania, the championship game was virtually over after he saw his playmates cum rivals from the old days playing ball together in the crucial period of the game.

“Maayong depensa ni Anton. Then, paglingi naa si Bodo (Raagas), Tupe (Carretas) ug sniper sa gawas (Owen, Enteria). Maong sa akong hunahuna humana ni bisan mga batan-on pa ang kontra,” shared Hengania.

Tournament commissioner Andit Mendoza presided over the awards rites that followed right away at the clubhouse of Camp Evangelista in Barangay Patag.