LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – With a 9 – 0 win loss record, Bokod, including three other municipalities, are already assured of a “twice-to-beat” incentive in the quarterfinals of the ongoing Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup.
Bokod clinched the first quarterfinals berth after routing Tublay, 87-62, at the BSU Covered court Saturday, October 14.
“We could end up number one with only Itogon as our last big assignment. Definitely we will not take that team lightly since they want to secure the third spot,” said playing coach Jovencio Caleno in Filipino.
The 9-0 Bokod is set to meet Itogon, 7-2, on Tuesday, October 24.
However, Caleno lamented the absence of two key players, Ramil Alimba and Kendrick Joseph.
Alimba, currently on the Bokod bench, is dealing with a hamstring injury, while Joseph is sidelined with a groin injury.
“I just hope they recover after the long break,” Caleno said.
Also clinching a twice-to-beat quarterfinals edge are La Trinidad 1, Itogon, and Tuba.
La Trinidad currently sits at number two spot with a 10 – 1 record of the tournament backed by Benguet Cong. Eric Go Yap and ACT – CIS party list while Itogon and Tuba are set to complete the top four teams that have a twice to beat advantage in the magic eight.
Tuba could either end up at third if Itogon loses to Bokod on the 24th but could end up fourth should the latter win.
Mayor Clarita’ Sal-ongan’s squad scored their ninth win after overcoming a sluggish start to move past host Tublay, 77-71, Wednesday evening at the Norson Multi-Sports Gym.
Tuba needed a strong fourth quarter after failing to defend a seven – point lead, the same deficit it had in the first quarter before tying the game at halftime, 42-42 of the event also backed by the Office of Gov. Melchor Diclas.
This is also the second-to-last game for Tuba, currently at 8-3, and they are expected to conclude the eliminations at 10-3, with their final match scheduled for Sunday against Kibungan.
Other squad in the mix for a quarterfinals berth are number five La Trinidad 2 and Buguias who are currently tied at the fifth and sixth spot with an identical 6-4 record in the event organized by Media for Sports Development with Mark Media Solutions.com.
Kapangan, on the other hand, currently occupies the seventh spot, while Mankayan is striving to secure the eighth and final spot in the quarterfinals.
Both teams faced each other in Tuesday’s game at BSU Buguias, with Kapangan narrowly clinching an 83-80 victory.
Mankayan battled from 15 down and took a seven – point lead early in the fourth only to crumble in the dying seconds to lose the match.
Nelson Estepa led Kapangan with 26 points and 10 rebounds while also dishing two assists, four steals and two blocks.
Fenrie Atinyao and Adam Clee Paraan added 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Jonathan Peralta led Mankayan with 16 points, while Felix Balais, Jr. and Sang Yen Campos contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively.
Kapangan improved to 5-5 which is good for the seventh spot.
It has three tasks remaining with Itogon, Bokod and Atok.
Itogon and Bokod are the tough assignments.
Mankayan, which falls to 4-5 and eighth spot has Tublay, Trinidad 1 and Kabayan as the remaining opponents and could pull a two of three victory.
The remaining standings are as follows: Sablan (3-8), Bakun (3-8), Kabayan (2-8), Atok (2-7), Tublay (2-8), and Kibungan (2-8), occupying the ninth through fourteenth positions.
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