With a 9-0 win-loss record, Bokod, including three other towns, 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 Benguet State University covered court Oct. 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.
The 9-0 Bokod is set to meet Itogon, 7-2, on Oct. 24.
Caleno, however, bemoaned the absence of two of his bigger men – Ramil Alimba and Kendrick Joseph.
Alimba, who is sweating at the Bokod bench, has a hamstring injury, while Joseph has groin injury.
Also clinching a twice to beat quarterfinals edge are La Trinidad 1, Itogon, and Tuba.
La Trinidad currently sits at the second spot with a 10-1 record of the tournament 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 Oct. 24, but could end up fourth should the latter win.
Tuba cagers scored their ninth win after overcoming a sluggish start to move past host Tublay, 77-71, Oct. 18 evening at the Norson multi-sports gym.
It is also the penultimate game for Tuba, 8-3, as it is expected to finish the eliminations at 10-3 with its last slated on Sunday versus Kibungan.
Other squads in the mix for a quarterfinals berth are number five La Trinidad 2 and Buguias that are currently tied at the fifth and sixth spot with an identical 6-4 record.
Kapangan, on the other hand, is recently at seventh while Mankayan is looking to seal the number eight and last spot in the quarterfinals.
Both teams squared off during Oct. 17’s game in BSU Buguias with Kapangan escaping an 83-80 win.
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, Felix Balais, Jr. and Sang Yen Campos added 14 and 10 markers for Mankayan.
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 fell 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 rest of the standings is Sablan (3-8), Bakun (3-8), Kabayan (2-8), Atok (2-7), Tublay (2-8) and Kibungan (2-8) for the ninth to 14th spots. – Press release
