 |
| Photo: Mayor's Office of Bokod, Benguet |
In a nail-biting clash at the Benguet Sports Complex in Barangay Wangal, La Trinidad 1 clinched victory against a resilient Bokod, surviving a late charge to secure the inaugural Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup on Wednesday with a final score of 65-60.
The hard-earned triumph for La Trinidad 1, who held a commanding 24-point lead in the middle of the second quarter, showcased the tenacity of both teams. Bokod, unyielding and determined, steadily chipped away at the capital town’s lead, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Facing a 52-50 deficit, Bokod's Roy Pulac, in a pivotal moment, was called for an offensive foul late in the third quarter, nullifying a crucial basket that could have tied the game. This turn of events allowed La Trinidad 1 a slight breathing room, with Pollante's trey extending their lead to 55-50.
As the clock wound down, Bokod fought fiercely, narrowing the gap to one point on multiple occasions. The younger Buenaventura and Kendrick Joseph delivered key plays, bringing the score to 61-60 with 2:18 left in the game. However, Bokod's attempts to take the lead were thwarted by missed opportunities, including Gabino's basket that circled the rim twice before going out.
La Trinidad 1's Neil Ulep, seizing the opportunity, scored the team's next three points, securing a four-point cushion at 64-60. Despite Bokod's efforts, they failed to score in the final moments. Will Kean Lee, capitalizing on Bokod's missed chances, sealed the victory with one of two successful free throws, bringing the final score to 65-60.
Lee, reflecting on the tough win, acknowledged Bokod's formidable challenge and expressed gratitude for the missed opportunities that worked in La Trinidad 1's favor. He emphasized the team's strategy of capitalizing on turnovers as opportunities to score, a key factor in their success.
Coach Jong del Rosario admitted that La Trinidad 1 relaxed in the third and fourth quarters, allowing Bokod to mount a remarkable comeback. Despite the lapse, the coach expressed satisfaction with the team's overall performance and the 24-point cushion they built early in the game.
La Trinidad 1's victory earned them a substantial prize of P250,000, with the La Trinidad Municipal Employees Cooperative as the beneficiary, receiving PhP150,000. Bokod, despite their commendable effort, settled for P150,000, while the Amukdaw Marginalized Fisherfolks Association received P100,000 for their team.