Tough Trinidad squad defends vs powered up Bokod, Tuba, Kapangan in Cong Yap Cup
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – An all-out war is expected in the second season of the Congressman Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup Benguet Basketball League this October 12 with defending champion La Trinidad, bride’s maid Bokod and Tuba all beefed up.
But Kapangan may just be the spoiler after getting a new look off-season and ready to mix it up against the best on curtain call at the Benguet Sports Complex.
Armando Pollante, Will Kean Lee, Neil Ryan Ulep, Jason Alvaran, and Gerald Abella could be the meanest starting unit, and with a second unit composed of Jeffrey Buton, Clyde Habon, Kean Zackery Diaz, Russel Tuazon, and Jamil Sultan, Trinidad had the depth that was feared by all teams in the last season, not to mention Elton Tayab and Alcurt Fuchigami, who both provide quality time.
Trinidad acquired Bryan Estepa and Aaron Nang-is from its former second team and with former Saint Louis University team captain Shawn Aquisay, the squad is almost assured to walk away with the champion’s trophy.
“He is much better now,” summed fellow “rookie” Jhervie Calivo, referring to Aquisay.
Calivo is suiting up for Tuba, which is expected to be one of the teams to watch despite losing coach Romulo Rimando, Jr. who died of cancer earlier this year.
Calivo could be the most heralded “rookie” this season in the same way as Aquisay is in what could be the biggest showdown between newcomers.
Calivo was with the Baguio College of Technology squad along with Pollante who faced the University of the Cordilleras led by the Buenaventura brothers – Joh Ric and June Rey – in the 2016 BBEAL finals. UC won that showdown.
Tuba is now mentored by BBEAL champion Gerry Estranero who will parade practically the same lineup composed of young players of Raxl Apilado, Fruto Lozadas of BCT, Benedict Antonio, Ian Bernal John Cedric Pugong, and reigning MVP Cyril de Vera.
But the 2008 champion coach from CCDC has also added three players that could spell the difference this season. Aside from Calivo, the mayor Clarita Sal-ongan squad finally got the service of Jason Tobias and a possible Pollante-buster in Aldwin Guzman.
“Guzman could neutralize Pollante as seen in the Mamitas tournament,” said Calivo in the vernacular.
Tuba, which seeks to improve on its fourth-place finish last season, has also tapped former UC coach and recent co-mentor of UB Fernando Antonio.
The Buenaventura brothers join Rey Gabino, Darwin Fernandez, Jovencio Caleno, and Shane Balnges in an attempt to improve on its bridesmaid finish last year.
Nestor Cuilan, Jr. is back healthy and will join his squad after missing out last year due to a hand injury sustained during a typhoon. Cuilan nearly severed three of the digits of his right hand when he pulled a bamboo which cut said hand.
The former CCDC stalwart hopes to make an impact in his return. Bokod is also expecting good numbers from former UB guard Rey Bilibli, who is suiting up this season for the team from around the Ambuklao Dam.
After beating Trinidad in the eliminations, Bokod was trounced twice in the finals, including a hard-to-swallow second-game defeat when it came back from a huge deficit only to fall short. When Gabino made a lay-up late in the final canto for a sure basket and the lead, the ball swirled around the rim before falling out proving as the series and season backbreaker.
Chad Villanueva will return for Itogon which will still have Kim Padawag, Jan Ganilo, and Sachi Caballero in an effort to improve on their third-place finish last season. While this iteration of Itogon misses Jan Zendrick Manzano due to an injury and moved to an assistant coach position as well as long-distance hitter Ferdinand Sapalong moving to Kapangan, the team hopes to get quality minutes from Mankayan transferee Lenz Antolino.
Fenrie Atinyao and Kapangan could be the spoiler this season after getting a make-over in the off-season. Former UC reliable Rudolf Eilinger joined this agricultural town which had Nelson Estepa, Adam Clee, and the Solima brothers – now down to two from three – that placed sixth last season.
With Trinidad 2 disbanding, Kapangan was able to get brothers Norman and Alexander Batanes and Heavenry Pundag. It will also add Bakun point guard Marc Candido to its line-up as well as Itogon coordinator Sapalong.
The Yap Cup opens on October 12 at the Benguet Sports Complex with Yap, Gov. Melchor Diclas, and the mayors of the 13 municipalities. Buguias, Mankayan, Kabayan, Kibungan, Bakun, Sablan, Atok, and Tublay will also see action starting that day.
On October 13, the Cong. Yap – Benguet Women’s Volleyball Championship fires off.
