Binmaley five stays unblemished

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

THE 2017 Inter-Town Basketball Tournament is now at the halfway mark. Sixteen of the 38 towns that originally participated are now in the quarterfinals bracketed in two groups, eight teams apiece.

I managed to watch the second day of the quarterfinals after failing to attend the opening day of the quarterfinals on February 11 at Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen.

I saw how Lingayen, Malasiqui, Asingan repulsed their opponents, particularly how the undefeated Binmaley five thumped Mangaldan in a convincing fashion. I had to watch because it is my town in the game, knowing that my place is a basketball-crazy community with countless tournaments being conducted every year. Unfortunately, their efforts were not enough.

Trailing by three points in the first quarter, 18-21, the Binmaley boys took the front by two marks, 46-44, in the first half and stepped up in the third period to lead by thirteen, 70-57, and led by as much to 20, points, 85-65, midway at the fourth and final period and eventually finished the match in double digits, 93-82. Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes standout Roxar Melendez was one of the key factors why the Binmaley squad scored the victory, converted a game high 33 points rifling six of his team’s 13 treys. In fact Binmaley had three players in big double figures that really did the big harm against the Mangaldanons, with Michael Roxas, contributing 27 points with three triples and Leo Salazar had 19 with also three beyond the arc.

“Napabayaan nila yong mga 3-point shots ng Binmaley at yon ang malaking dahilan kaya natalo ang Mangaldan,” said Mary Ann Aquino, a balikbayan nurse from Middle East. “Mahusay ang set-up ng offensive play ng Mangaldan, pero napakahina naman nila sa depensa,” echoed by one of the referees who asked not to be named.

Binmaley, Lingayen and Sto. Tomas came out as the only three teams that were unbeaten during the elimination rounds. The three are now considered the new title contenders but the two, Lingayen and Sto. Tomas, unfortunately suffered their early first losses in the quarters while Binmaley remained to stay alone unblemished.

Urdaneta City with single defeat during the elims leads the tourney (as of Feb. 12) with two wins sans loss, followed by Bugallon, Alaminos City, Manaoag and Binmaley with one victory apiece with one game, so far, while Bayambang, Malasiqui, Asingan and Lingayen with one triumph and single defeat. Villasis, Calasiao, Mangaldan and Sto. Tomas with single loss and a game, respectively, while San Manuel is at the cellar with two losses with nil victory.

The provincial sports office headed by provincial sports coordinator Modesto Operania said the February 18 and 19 skirmishes will be hosted by the team that entered the quarterfinals and has a covered court. I surmise it will be Alaminos City, Urdaneta City or Calasiao. So if you are really basketball lover, go and watch them, far or near.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. EPHESIANS 5: 22-24

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