Olkas, Bagtik set up title duel in Lou Ornopia caging

CEBU, Philippines - Team Olkas, powered by Calambua's homegrown talents, and Bagtik fended off separate foes in contrasting fashion to arrange a championship showdown in the Lou Ornopia Basketball Tournament at the Calambua open court in San Remigio north of Cebu.

The twice-to-beat Team Olkas handily terminated Ilihan, 77-70, while Bagtik literally had to pass through the eye of the needle before grabbing the other finals berth via a 74-71 squeaker over the equally-tough San Miguel side.

Jei Dablo, the league's one-man wrecking crew, erupted with 34 points for Olkas, which was never threatened after closing the first half with a 29-23 advantage.

In stark contrast, Bagtik had to did deep in the windup after a furious third-quarter explosion to get rid of San Miguel.

Trailing by 11 points at the break, 32-43, Bagtik bounced back with aplomb in the third canto where they launched a blistering 28-11 attack to turn the tide of the match in its favor.

After gaining a six-point headway, 60-54, going into the final 10-minute zone of the contest, Bagtik deftly neutralized San Miguel's offense the rest of the way to come up with a three-point escape.

The month-long tilt, which is among the highlights of Calambua's annual fiesta in honor of its beloved patron San Vicente Ferrer on April 13, offers close to P30,000 in cash prize to the top performing teams. The champion will pocket 10,000, while the second to fourth placers will take home P7,000, P5,000, and P3,000, respectively.

Supervised by commissioner Gumersindo Jubay, Jr., the games are being officiated by Rabbi Aranduga, Dondon Ferolino and Shonnel Patalinghug.

Presented by the entire barangay council of Calambua in partnership with MS Motosuit, the event is also supported by Bradder Moto Access, F&FO Motor Parts, Sanitec General Services, Speed-up Motor Parts, RMO Motor Parts, Prospeed, Motomaze, JCO Motor Parts, Keiz BJ Motors, Leizel Navarez, Diosdado Navarez, Anong Lumapas, Jerry Samarita, Vincent Golbe, and the families of Saludar, Ycot, Ornopia, Montealto, Armenion, Jubay, and De la Peña.

The scores

First game

Olkas (77) - Dablo 34, Barro 19, Barbe 12, Imbong 6, Baclohan 3, Ducay 3

Ilihan (70) - Romagos 20, Flores 13, Inoc 9, Ruva 8, Prescillas 6, Arnoco 6, Gualin 4, Neis 2, Fuentes 2

Second game

Bagtik (74) - Guma-Guma Lopez, 25, Talisik 13, Cesa 12, Migabon 12, Frasco 10, Pepito 2

San Miguel (71) -  Zido 18, Agudo 16, Dabalos 12, Ruelo 10, Argawanon 7, Pantaleon 4, Domalaoco 2, Arellano 2  (FREEMAN)