Bonuan Gueset clinches SK crown
THE Bonuan Gueset boys turned lethal in the fourth and final quarter by unleashing successive shots in the closing minutes to rout archenemy Poblacion Oeste, 89-78, in the third game of the best-of-three championship series to clinch the 2010 Bangus Festival SK Inter-Barangay Basketball Challenge crown.
Precariously leading by just three points, 39 – 36, after the first half and by five, 62 -57, after the third quarter, the Gueset boys pulled away at the homestretch, led by the high-leaping forward Christian Caberto contributing an important seven points and four vital offensive rebounds.
The Gueset boys, inspired by the presence of their barangay chairman Angel Gumarang and SK chairman Fritz Cayabyab, widened their lead to ten points with 1:18 minutes remaining and never looked back up to the final buzzer.
“I give credit to the five players on the floor in the closing minutes,’ said coach Byron Vidal.
“They showed their strong fighting spirit and made a stop in every defensive possession that resulted in a blowout victory for us. A lot of credit, though, also went to a bunch of talented but unheralded players led by Caberto delivering the clutch plays, and of course, with prayers too.” Vidal added.
The Gueset squad prevailed in their first encounter, 85-83, lost in the second game, 80-72, to forge a rubber match, held at Dagupan People’s Astrodome on June 12, which drew in one of the largest crowds in the two-month long tourney.
For his part, Poblacion Oeste coach Joey Escorpiso said, “We did everything that we could during our training and the actual competition but the luck is not on our side. They’re (Gueset) also well-prepared and they deserved the victory.”
Rommel Vidal scored a team high 18 points while Geronimo Lopez and Jayvee Lurian contributed 12 points each for the champion team.
Four players in the losing side came in double-digit figures with Joshua Gutierrez scoring a game high 20 points; Jupiter Posada, 14; Kevin Abulencia and Art Irish Fernandez, 12 points apiece.
Meanwhile, Barangay Bolosan overthrew defending champion barangay Pantal, 77 – 59, to take third place.
Trophies and incentive cash prizes were awarded after the game by tournament officials led by commissioner Manny Gatchalian and SK consultant Carmelo John Vidal.
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award was given to Joey Lurian of the champion team.
The cagefest was sponsored by the city government of Dagupan, spearheaded by Mayor Al Fernandez and Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, and under the auspices of SK Federation president Carlos Alipio Fernandez.–JAGJr.
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