OCCCI Sheermasters still loud and proud (Romp away with with first runner-up trophy in Sinulog Cup) | The Freeman

CEBU, Philippines — They may have fallen short in their title quest but the OCCCI Sheermasters of Ormoc City are still happy and proud of their first runner-up finish in the Sinulog Cup 2024 Basketball Tournament recently.

OCCCI is one of the four out-of-town teams that saw action in the five-day league. The others are Team Khalifa of Tacloban City, United Negros Basketball League (UNBL) All-Stars of Bacolod City, and eventual champion Z’Nars Jewerly of Marawi City.

Interestingly, all of them reached the semifinal round.

The OCCCI Sheermasters completed a three-game sweep in the elimination before pulling off a 74-73 cliffhanger against UNBL that staged a disgraceful walkout in the final 17 seconds of their closely-fought semis duel.

In the championship witnessed by a mammoth crowd that filled every nook and cranny of the Cebu City Sports Institute (CCSI) gym in Barangay Sawang Calero last January 27, the Sheermasters put up a gallant stand against the Jewelers from Marawi, rallying from 15 points down in the third period to even enjoy a six-point lead , 72-66, with still 9:29 left to play.

The Sheermasters, however, wilted under the heavy explosion of Mac Tallo, who dropped 13 points spiked with three booming 3-pointers in a decisive 16-5 run that towed Z’Nars on top again by five, 82-77, at the last 5:48 mark.

OCCCI did not roll down and just die, tying the count at 82-all. But that proved to their last hurrah as Bernie Bregondo, Emman Calo, and John Abad made crucial hits in the dying seconds to catapult Z’Nars to crowning glory.

Nevertheless, the Sheermasters relished their pleasurable experience most especially that they were able able to give their star-studded rivals loaded with at least four ex-PBA players a run for their money.

“Nalipay gihapon mi kay bisan og mao pa ni amo pag-apil ning liga nakasud dayon mi’g championship,” said OCCCI head coach Jonn Carlo Cabaltera Sano. “Nakita nako nga all-out kaayo amo mga players pero na-short lang gyud mi tungod kay mga beterano kasagaran amo kontra ug didto napakita ang composure nila kontra sa amo mga bata nga players.”

Going back home in Ormoc with a P100,000 cash prize and a wealth of experience, Sano