CEBU, Philippines - Alelu’s Friends toiled hard at crunchtime to scrape through a precarious 94-92 victory over Capao Compound in the Poblacion Oriental Barangay Developmental Basketball Sports Program at the Riverside open court in Brgy. Poblacion Oriental, Consolacion.
Alelu’s Friends trailed for most of the way including by eight points at halftime, 48-56. They, however, rallied back in the third period to pull within two points, 70-72, before unleashing a steady offensive in the windup to stun Capao Compound at the final buzzer.
Jerome Valle topscored for Alelu’s Friends with 29 points, while Dars Medida and Leemar Dahil chipped in 18 and 13 markers, respectively. Valle and Dahil, both products of the M. Lhuillier Sports Development Foundation (MLSDF) Developmental League under coach Eddie Ybañez, once played with the National Capital Regional Athletic Association (NCRAA) league in Manila, while Medida is a former member of the UV Baby Lancers.
Alelu’s Friends are all members of the Consolacion selection who are conducting a free basketball clinic spearheaded by Poblacion Oriental barangay councilor Paul Alelu Q. Flores, a former star guard of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws during his UAAP days.
Bing Abrasado paced Capao Compound with 18 points followed by Ryan Capao with 15 in a losing cause.
Run by commissioner Norbert Cejas, the Riverside tilt is strongly supported by the entire Poblacion Oriental barangay council led by Brgy. Capt. Melquides Caylan.
The scores
Alelu’s Friends (94) - Valle 29, Medida 18, Dahil 13, Bio 10, G. Pepito 7, Tibon 6, Pilapil 4, E. Pepito 3, Tuburan 2, Reuyan 2
Capao Compound (92) - B. Abrasado 18, R. Capao 15, Patigayon 13, Gerundio 10, A. Capao 10, A. Abrasado 10, Gonzaga 7, Abrasado 5, Juanillo 4
Quarterscores:20-25, 48-56, 70-72, 94-92. – EBV (THE FREEMAN)