Bokod survives Tuba’s late charge, opens Cong Yap Cup bid with win
In Photos: Benguet Congressman Eric Go Yap delivered his speech to inspire the 13 teams in basketball and 12 volleyball teams during the opening of the first season of the Benguet Women’s V-League and the Benguet Basketball League of the Congressman Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup, Saturday, October 12 at the Benguet Sports Complex, Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet. Kevin Edward See – Chief of Staff of Benguet Congressman Eric Go Yap’s Office led the ceremonial toss with Tublay Mayor Armando I. Lauro for the first game of Bokod versus Tuba. Best Player John Ric Buenaventura and photo ops of the team Bokod who defeated Team Tuba in the first game. Photo by Mario Oclaman //FNS
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – When Rey Gabino sunk a twinner with 3:31 remaining for a 68-50 Bokod lead over Tuba, it appeared that the first game in the Cong. Eric Go Yap Cup Benguet Basketball League Saturday at the Benguet Sports Complex was over.
But not so. Tuba had something in its mind with new coach Ian Bernal.
Tuba mounted a 13-0 run to narrow the gap at 68-63 with 14.7 seconds left in the game clock.
Bokod fumbled the next possession with Tuba’s vice-like defense but failed to convert in the next possession to hand last year’s bridesmaid the win.
Bokod, with Rey Bilibli taking charge of the offense in the first quarter did a splendid job as he gave Bokod a 12-2 lead halfway in the first quarter.
Tuba then mounted a rally taking a 17-16 lead at the end of the quarter.
Neither team took advantage in the second quarter until John Ric Buenaventura arrived with four minutes left. The shifty Bokod point guard poured seven of Bokod’s last nine points for a 35-27 lead.
Tuba’s rookie Jervie Calivo scored as time expired to make it a six-point affair, 35-29, in favor of Bokod.
Bokod once again dominated the younger squad and built a 17-point lead, 52-35 on a Jovencio Caleno basket with 1:59 remaining. Tuba made it a 40-54 Bokod lead at the end of the canto.
Tuba was able to cut the lead to 11 midway in the fourth quarter, 50-61, but a ferocious 7-0 Bokod run gave the Ambuklao Dam residents its biggest lead, 68-50. Then Tuba tried to change the script after a strong charge that came up short.
It was the second win of Bokod over the same squad in the two-year old league. Last year, Bokod survived Tuba after a backing violation called against the latter late in the fourth quarter.
“It was breaks and Tuba played good defense late in the game,” summed Bokod paying coach Jovencio Caleno after heaving a big sigh of relief.
John Ric led all scorers with 20 points, while Rey Gabino added 12 markers. Bilibli had a strong start with six markers on top of six rebounds, three assists, and four steals.
Caleno had 11 boards for Bokod.
Last year’s MVP de Vera top scored for Tuba with 19 points, while Syrigilcayes Banana and Calivo added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Kibungan was playing Bakun as of this writing, while Itogon will face Mankayan in the third game and the powerhouse defending champion testing Kabayan in the last game.
The opening ceremonies were held at the sports complex earlier in the day with Yap saying that the league including the women’s volleyball will become a legacy or to be staged annually.
Women’s volleyball action starts Sunday, October 13. CEGYCC Release
