Cagers zero in on longest non-stop game

MANILA, Philippines - With a Guinness adjudicator watching, the 24-strong cast of the Philippine Basketball Marathon is making its final push in today’s early hours to eventually enter the Philippines in the Guinness Book of World Records as the country that has played the longest non-stop basketball game ever.

The Filipino basketball marathoners are to match the standing record at around 1 a.m., and the plan afterwards is to get going, waiting for daybreak to end and celebrate their record-breaking feats with their families, friends and supporters at the Meralco Gym in Pasig.

They hit the century-hour mark at a little over high noon yesterday, and each one vowed there would be nothing that would stop them from going on to post a new record in non-stop basketball.

To be erased by the Philippines is the world record of 112 hours and 13 seconds the Missouri Athletic Club set in St. Louis, Missouri on March 21 to 25, 2012.

“There’s really nothing now that would stop the team from breaking the mark,” said Jacque Ruby, the chief operating officer of the organizing Discovery-ACCESS (Asian Cable Enterprises Inc.).

“The morale, confidence and enthusiasm of the guys are soaring high. It’s like they’ve gotten second wind, knowing they’re so close to achieving what they set out to do,” Ruby also said.

Leading scorer Helino Francisco scored on a layup as the clock read 100 hours, and the players and the crowd rejoiced, cheering one another.

The count stood at 13821-13818 in favor of Team Bounce Back by that time. At 5 p.m., Team Bounce Back has stretched their lead to 14468-14445.

No one was disheartened as Jhay-Ar Mapalla started to slow down yesterday.

“His teammates stepped up for him. They gladly covered his shift,” said Jarvik Toledo, from the organizing group.

“But he’s back soon. Nahiya siya sa mga kasama nya nabawasan ang rest period,” Toledo added.

Larry Macapanpan, a dentist who’s among the most oldest in the group, pushed the team not just to go on, but to make sure to play in the spirit of the Guinness guidelines.

“Kaya natin yan! kaya natin yan!” Macapanpan kept on shouting.

Continuing to provide great support are sponsors Mitsubishi, PG Flex, Ace Hardware, Yakult, Medical City, Security Bank, Phoenix Petroleum, Bacchus Energy Drink, Burlington, AirAsia-Zest, Lamoiyan, Iwata, Innovatronix, Timex, Canon, Power Mac, Segway, Spenco, Gold’s Gym, Accel, Molten, Coleman, Oster, Starcruises, Gerry’s Grill, Quiznos, Gong Cha, SL Agritech, GNC, Gatorade, Krispy Kreme, Jamba Juice, Fern C, Balls Channel, Slam PH, Spin, FHM, Wave 89.1, Business World, Discovery Channel, Pioneer Insurance, CMS-Asia, Reyes Haircutters, Crystal CATX, Highlands Coffee, CaliBurger, The Exchange Regency Residence Hotel, Maynilad, Ace Water Spa, Avis, Secure, and New San Jose Builders.