CMO wins 5th RRD-AFP/PNP crown

The CMO team with the championship trophy.(Photo courtesy of Davao Sportswriters Association)

Sports Coordinator Bong Go (No.18).(Photo courtesy of Davao Sportswriters Association)


The City Mayor’s Office engaged the Police Regional Office in a hotly-contested Game 3 but the City Hall-based cagers prevailed, 86-79 to win the 5th RRD-AFP/PNP Basketball Finals, 2-1, Saturday night, at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Joswe Torregosa sparked the run for PRO XI at the start of the fourth quarter to cut CMO’s lead to just four points, 63-67, eight minutes and 16 seconds left.

PRO XI’s Geramel Merano stepped up in the last six minutes but Ariel Bonleon, Elias Resurreccion and Melchor Gadiano responded for CMO to stretch the lead, 80-72, 1:49 remaining.

Torregosa, who was awarded the most valuable player trophy, came back with back-to-back shots, 76-82, 49 seconds remaining and Resty Go buried a three-point shot, 79-82, 38 ticks left but Marvin Mondigo scored an undergoal stab, 84-79, 31 seconds remaining.

Time was no longer on the side for men of PRO XI Director Andres Caro II who were forced to foul CMO that sent Dindo Pastor and City Sports Coordinator Christopher “Bong” Go to the free throw lines.

Go, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Assistant, sealed the victory for CMO with a gift shot, 86-79.

Go led CMO with 24 points while Torregosa hit 15 for PRO XI.

Prizes were awarded to the winners right after Game 3 of the tournament presented by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Go and the CMO’s cash prize was distributed to the winners as bonus.

Davao City Police Office’s Rodolfo Bustaleño, who suited up for PRO XI in the last tournament, led members of the Mythical Five that included Bureau of Fire Protection’s Kristian Coquilla, a former CMO cager, PRO XI’ s Resty Go, a former spitfire at the Holy Cross of Davao College, CMO’s Ariel Bonleon and Ferdinand Pastor.

Bureau of Fire Protection placed third, followed by Davao City Police Office at fourth, Regional Mobile Group at fifth, 22nd Company at sixth, 28th Infantry Battalion at seventh and 10th Infantry Division at eighth.

The scores:

CMO (86)- B.Go 24, Bonleon 12, Gadiano 11, Mondigo 10, Bangkas 9, Pastor 7, Alquizar 5, Resurreccion 4, Mosqueda 3, Josol 1.

PRO XI (79)- Torregosa 15, Mendez 10, R.Go 10, Reyes 9, Merano 7, Alcano 7, Josol 7, Awitin 6, Albania 4, dela Rosa 4.