THE K2 Ballers came out on top of the P5 Hoops & Vibes Basketball Tournament by bringing down Young Doom, 55-37, in the championship game at the Kagman Community Center basketball court.
The K2 Ballers entered the final match with only 30 minutes of rest after winning their semi-final game, but their opponents, Young Doom, had only six players.
In the opening half, both teams found their offensive rhythm early. Gerald Manis opened up the scoreboard with two consecutive triples while Kaipo Dikito followed up with five points to put the K2 Ballers ahead.
Young Doom responded with a two-man job of their own as Leo Naraja and Lucio Aldan combined for 12 points.
However, halfway through, Young Doom’s Nobert Hocog was forced to sit due to an injury.
This gave the K2 Ballers the chance to widen their lead.
Garret Mariano worked well inside the paint with back-to-back finishes to give the K2 Ballers a 27-14 halftime lead.
But as soon as the K2 Ballers lowered their guard, the Young Doom struck back. Angel Roligat kept his team going while Naraja picked up where he left off and scored three straight floaters from the perimeter. Aldan also helped reduce the K2 Ballers’ lead.
But the K2 Ballers used their timeouts wisely to kill their opponents’ momentum and regain control of the game’s tempo.
This time, it was Jay Art Palmes who took the spotlight with smooth finishes at the rim, pushing the K2 Ballers’ margin to a comfortable distance en route to victory, 55-37.
In the battle for third place, Utu Bangers were given a free pass after the T8 Homies forfeited the match.
Undefeated
In an interview, K2 Ballers Coach Tom Pangelinan noted that his players “adapted really quickly and everybody wanted to push forward and not have a second game.”
The K2 Ballers ended the tournament undefeated. “You have to give them credit,” their coach said, referring to his players. “Defense was the name of the game.”
Pangelinan believes that the tournament has put Kagman back on the sports map. “This is something we never really had before, actually. Not since the Rotary basketball league. We’re getting known. We do have a lot of courts including baseball fields, so it’s not just about basketball…. Just show a little respect within the village by cleaning up…after the games.”
The three-week tournament was sponsored by Precinct 5 Reps. Leila Staffler and Richard Lizama.
K2 Ballers’ Gerald Manis takes the shot over two defenders during the championship game of the P5 Hoops & Vibes Basketball Tournament at the Kagman Community Center basketball court on Saturday.
Jay Art Palmes attempts the floater during the championship game of the P5 Hoops & Vibes Basketball Tournament at the Kagman Community Center basketball court on Saturday.
The K2 Ballers pose with the championship trophy.
