LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Itogon hopes to end La Trinidad’s domination when the two squads start their best of three finals on Wednesday in the Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup – Benguet Basketball League.
Itogon will definitely rely on playmaker Kim Padawag who has a stellar season in leading his squad to the finals and past some of the better teams.
“I am more vocal now. I can exert myself and tell my teammates what must be done… to win,” said the former Baguio Central University Eagle.
It was a reason why even with just three players in the team’s game against Tublay, Itogon still won.
There were five of them with no coach and two eventually graduated, one with more than three minutes remaining.
And it was a Tublay team with Nicanor Menzi present and a backcourt duo that could well match against any team in the 13-team league.
Padawag led his team to the finals after blasting Bokod.
And he did it with an 18 points per game clip, although lower than the 19.7 ppg he submitted in the elimination round.
Padawag came to the post season on a solid stat of 6.8 rebounds per game, 6.9 assists pg, 2.5 steals pg and a 0.1 blicks pg that allowed his team to finish third seed.
At 19-2 win-loss slate, Itogon was tied with defending champion La Trinidad and Kabayan, two teams it lost to, but trailed in tie break point.
He is also clearly the favorite to win this year’s top individual award aside from being the assist king.
Itogon is actually the team La Trinidad coach Jhong del Rosario fears whose wins were both squeakers.
“I really fear that team,” del Rosario said.
It was a La Trinidad team with all its fire power available against Padawag’s scrappy squad – Armando Pollante, Bryan Gravilez and Estepa and Shawn Aquisay also present.
Despite a Trinidad in full beast mode, still Itogon fought toe and toe until the final buzzer.
Of course, Itogon big men Chad Villanueva and Michael Dannang were instrumental also in the southern town’s thought stand.
After missing much of the elimination round, Gravilez is on full duty mode as former Cordillera Career Development College standout is one of the more reliable Volley boy.
Gravilez is averaging 15 ppg and a second best 12.5 rpg. He also has a respectable 6.25 dimes a game that makes him one of the more formidable Trinidad player.
If Trinidad claims the crown anew, then Gravilez is expectedly the man with the most best player trophy.
Trinidad has some of the deadliest snipers from deep -talk about Will Kean Lee, Diaz, Tuazon and Alvaran and even Pollante.
Jan Rasec Ganilo, Rodel Pingi, Sachi Caballero and Julius Tiangqo are also good from beyond the arch, including the man who brought Itogon this deep – Padawag. CEGYCC Release
