Santa Marcela Balangkoy Festival upscales the thrill; Consuelo GINerals dethrones 4-time champion Barocboc in 2025 Basketball League

Santa Marcela, Apayao – As Santa Marcela Balangkoy Festival becomes more exhilarating with the highlights of the monthlong activity beginning to take place, the excitement escalates the thrill as Barangay Consuelo dethroned four-time Inter-barangay Basketball defending champion, Barangay Barocboc.

In an electrifying match, Consuelo put an end to the reign of Barocboc with a score difference of fourteen (14) points, 92-78.

This year’s Inter-barangay Basketball Sports tournament was part of Santa Marcela’s 58th Founding Anniversary and 21st Balangkoy Festival designed to make the commemoration and celebration vibrant and impactful to the townspeople, being staunch fans of basketball. 

The team, which named themselves  “GINerals,” clinched this first-ever championship title after its players displayed precise shooting skills, strong defense, exemplary composure, and teamwork throughout the tournament over their opponents.

During the first quarter, Barocboc showed confidence as they took a slight lead before its end, but Consuelo managed to catch up with their execution scoring basket after basket,gaining praises from supporters in the audience. At the close end of second and third quarters, Barocboc even made a tie and tried to surpass Consuelo with their blazing speed, 3-point shots, assists, and lay-ups, but the latter maintained their dominance on the court.

Arnedo, a point guard of Barocboc took things up a notch, but Consuelo’s defense through the two Catabay brothers and other teammates was tough.

The fourth quarter finally came and the crowd were loudly cheering as the game became more intense for team Barocboc, who was determined to preserve the crown. Consuelo did not lose their grip, nor did they let their rival regain control. With 45 seconds left in the final quarter, team Barocboc gave up and accepted their defeat.

The winning barangay maintained a double-digit gap until it was over, sealing the championship match with a jaw-dropping performance.