First win for the veterans: 1st Kiarong Cup 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament

Kiarong, BSB -- Game continues in Kiarong Cup as the Yellow Team “Veterans” thrashed the White Team “Pioneers” in an overtime-deciding game last night. Exhausted Bert Buri stretched up an amazing game forcing two of the main men of the Pioneers, Exequiel Lachica and Michael Barawed to graduate. Despite Exequiel Lachica’s steady hands at the perimeter, and authority in the shaded area of Michael Barawed moreover even with the unstoppable moves of the MVP candidate Toto Olgado, and defensive approach of Bull Dionco, they came up short in the overtime.

Bert Buri scored almost half of the Veterans pulling up 52 pts, Joel Sarmiento and alternate player Louie both scored 21 pts, and also Lito contributed 8 pts, on the other hand Toto Olgado made 30 pts, Exequiel Lachica pulled up 28 pts, Bull Dionco-26pts and Michael Barawed with 18pts.

The much awaited game between the two top seeded team Black Team “Turistas” and Red Team “D Café”, turned out to be just a fun game. The absence of Rj Buenaventura made D’ Café out of tune. Inside penetrations of Jerril-jan Frontuna and Eric Lachica gave Turistas an 18 point commanding lead in the first half.

Alex Barawed’s spirit of winning was not in sight yesterday as he watched his team from his bench falling out from the raging Turistas. With Wyclef’s determination to take over the game and the perseverance of the Alternate player, Michael, D Café manage to narrowed down the lead to 5 points in the middle of the second half.

The improved game of Mahlon Campos gave D Café enough strength to stay in the game. Making sure of its win, Turistas completed the game with the final score of 85-70. Game was concluded with 20 points each of Henry Sta. Isabel, Jerril-Jan Frontuna and Eric Lachica of Turistas and with D Café’s Alex Barawed with 22 pts followed by Mahlon Campos-19pts, Wyclef -15pts, Michael-14 pts and Andrew Jong-2pts.

Mr Jun Barawed, one of the Filipino Pioneers in Brunei, told yesterday that this tournament gave each players a chance to enjoy their favorite sport and gave their bodies a bit of an exercise after their daily jobs. “This really makes us feel even younger everyday,” he added. Ms. Ceres Padrones, who also spent her youthful days here in Brunei, really enjoys each game everytime she had a chance to watch it. According to her, this tournament is going on smoothly and if ever there’s a new event, they would love to join if KTC will again facilitate a badminton or volleyball tournament in the future.

KTC would also like to acknowledge the support of Mr. Rufino delos Santos for administering the game as official referee.

Source and photos: Rex Villanueva