SOME 33 years ago since winning the UAAP basketball with the Far Eastern University, the now 51-year-old Anthony Pabillore ― a true-blue Kagay-anon ― continues to do what he loves most: play hoops like it seems forever.
“Samtang makadagan may kinabuhi pa padayon dula lang gihapon,” said Pabillore, the former back-up point guard of Johnny Abarrientos with the FEU Tamaraws, who won his first basketball title in January 2025 with Team Barkadas in Season 4 finale of the Al Ballers Basketball Club in Cagayan de Oro.
Still employed with Banco de Oro, the Xavier University High School alumnus Pabillore told Gold Star Daily that he was only 18 years old when his backcourt tandem with future PBA star Abarrientos help propelled the FEU Tamaraws to the 1992 UAAP basketball crown.
“But I don’t live nor dwell in the past, that’s why I’m very proud and happy of my hoops achievements as a veteran past my prime. Basketball is very much alive and kicking in Cagayan de Oro that we could enjoy it playing even with the young ones,” enthused Pabillore.
The Green CdeO Eagles Club basketball offered a daunting challenge for Pabillore as it took him eight long years before finally tasting his first championship victory with Team RS Yellow Eagles in June 2024.
In the newly-formed Al Ballers Club at the Street Gym along Corrales extention, Pabillore’s Team Barkadas appeared the underdog in the final against the youth-laden Ballstar Angels. But great teamwork play and determination paved the way for them to carve out a hard-earned 73-67 win.
Playing-coach Pabillore, who came as the Barkadas’ last addition, credited the sweet-shooting Arnold Salvaña of Climbs Insurance and the versatile John Daba Calonia of the Judiciary for the nightmarish escape.
Leading by 12, the Barkadas ― who missed the services of ship captain Gilmore Roque ― later found themselves in trouble when season MVP David Balaba and ‘Mr Comeback’ Danriel Ompoc orchestrated a 14-0 run to give the Ballstar Angels a two-point edge approaching the last two minutes of the fourth and final quarter.
It was at this juncture when Salvaña came to the rescue with his clutch baskets as the hurting Calonia (back pain) struggled against the leech-like defense of Al Olmillo.
Salvaña finished with 23 points, highlighted by his back-to-back treys and crucial free throws that pushed the Barkadas up by four in the payoff period.
But Calonia’s steady play and another double-digit numbers (20 points) had paved the way for him to capture the final’s MVP trophy.
Youthful Jhacob Pacudan backed them up by 10 points.
This, as the defensive-minded Joeger Hamodiong and Jason Rey Palamine effectively manned the paints to contribute six points each for the Barkadas' crowning glory.
“Grabe ka manoy ang mga angkol (Team Barkadas), naukasan gyod nila ang mga batan-on uban sa regular MVP ug best coach in the league,” one spectator said.
Also fortifying the Barkadas’ triumphant finish are John Galangque, Ariel Salcedo, Greg Rey Flores, Edgar Llagas and assistant coach Jepos ‘Jefoy’ Jefuls.
Commissioner Al Olmillo founded the club last October 2022 alongside Christian John Jo, Mark Abrogueña, Dennis ‘The Stepback’ Isidra, Frederick Olmillo and Clement Velez.
“Usahay kulang ‘mi hangtod daghan invites miabot na ang club members karon og sobra gatosan,” Olmillo told Gold Star Daily.
