By Jaime Joshua A. Frias II
Contributor
TEMPLARS United and Gamba 97 booked a final ticket after beating their respective semifinal foes in the exciting XUHS Alumni Basketball League Season 11 last Saturday at the XU main campus in Cagayan de Oro City.
The United dribblers took things personally after absorbing a heartbreaking loss in their last outing with the Supremos 94 that took luster of their twice-to-beat advantage in the St. Francis Cup division semifinals action.
With bull-strong center Erwin Raagas finally showing up after missing the previous matches, Templars United played with confidence in eliminating the Supremos, 79-72.
Choosing to forego a family engagement to help his teammates in the rubber match, Raagas collected 16 points and 12 rebounds as the Templars United persevered to arrange a final showdown with the Sprocket 95 powered by the explosive tandem of JanJan Geroy and Paul ‘Shantao’ Moreno.
Two crucial long passes by Charome Marte to Raagas and Bhogart Padilla were all converted, punctuated by a twinner from Jowell Acenas who capped the night with two freebies, thus ensuring the Templars United’s trip to the finals.
“Erwin called us early that he couldn’t play. He was in Manila then and had to be (at) a family gathering upon his return (to) CdeO. But he had a change of heart in the last minute,” said Acenas, among the former college varsity athletes of legendary XU coach Manny Diaz.
Meanwhile, the defending champion Gamba 97ers didn’t need the whole cavalry in upending the five-time ABL champion 99ers via a crushing 102-57 win.
Lanky small forward Dexter Latosa proved that he’s not only a good musician but a competitive baller too.
Latosa, who dabbles as a guitar player at night as an entertainer, took charge in Gamba’s offense in the absence of starters Jay-ar Estrada, Andrew Neri, and ex-PBA cager Bitoy Omolon.
In a dazzling performance, Latosa exploded for 27 points along with four boards and two assists to help Nikku Benson Valles in carrying the heavily-depleted Gamba to the St. Faber Cup final against XUHS 2000 of team-playing manager RJ Yacapin.
“We’re lucky to have Dexter stepping up for us when the chips are down. We’ll never waste this opportunity. The whole cavalry will be around. Nikku wanted the championship so bad with him around,” said Gamba head coach Niño Virg Cabahug.
It can be recalled that Valles led the 97ers in winning the first game of the championship series in 2019, leaving Omolon and Neri to complete the job for a 2-0 sweep.
All final ABL games will be played two weeks from now in time for the XUHS Alumni Homecoming.
Already, host batch 1996 proudly announced their slogan ‘Sabado Nights’ for the much-awaited homecoming, featuring sexy star Ina Raymundo.
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