BASKETBALLERS of the PCYC Friday Balling Club were already having fun showing their skills at their weekly games, but organiser Tomas Caranto wanted to know how they would fare in a coordinated competition with official referees and table officials.
By RAY POLICARPIO
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Playing social games and actual competition matches are worlds apart. Skills and talent are honed in socials, but these are controlled in a team environment in organised tournaments where the ultimate goal is team victory.
Players were put in groups where they were comfortable with their skills – point guards, shooting guards, shooting forwards, power forwards and centers.
The players were then given numbers that were not arranged according to their skill level. A draw was then conducted among the veterans and leaders of the Friday group as to who would get the first picks from each playing position.
This resulted in the formation of the Blue, Red, White and Black teams.
In the preliminary games, the Reds bannered by Boy Bagsic defeated the Whites led by Jun Caparas, 32-26. Jayson Santos (10 points) and Ron Mariano (9 points) led the winning Reds, while Rommel Lacsamana (13 points) and Mhon Vibe (8 points) anchored the losing White quintet.
In the other game, the Blues led by Mon Policarpio stopped the Blacks’ juggernaut coached by Darcy Calingao, 38-28. Sherva Mendoza (12 points), Jerry Dulalia (11 points) and Karlo Enrico (9 points) starred for the Blues while Tomas Ben Caranto (16 points) and Edseal Deang (6 points) top-scored for the losing Black team.
The grading matches saw the Whites and Blacks play a fast and furious game in the losers’ match, with Whites prevailing through M Vibe (18 points) R Lacsamana (10 points) and RJ Butacan (10 points).
Tomas Ben Caranto (20 points) and Edsel Deang (12 points) scored for the losing Black unit.
In the winners’ match, the Blues team had a more balanced and team- oriented system that fashioned a 35-29 win over the gritty Reds. J Dulalia (15 points), S Mendoza (6 points) and Danny David (6 points) produced for the winning Blues.
Noy Maglaque 1(4 points) and Olet Pineda (13 points) led the Reds’ losing effort.
Tomas Ben Caranto was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
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PICTURES:
TOP, Blues cager Karlo Enrico flies with a twisting shot at the basket.
LOWER, Reds’ Noy Maglaque jumps for a clear shot at the basket.
