Pulpogan ousts defending champ Lamac in Consolacion hoop

CEBU, Philippines — Former University of the Visayas (UV) Lancers JC Escalona and Chris Ferolino transformed themselves into deadly one-two punch as Pulpogan ousted defending champion Lamac, 79-67, in the 7th Mayor Teresa 'Nene' P. Alegado Fiesta Basketball Cup in Consolacion.

Escalona sizzled with 19 points and Ferolino tallied 18 markers for Pulpogan, which stormed into the championship round of the Inter-Barangay Seniors Category A where they will challenge the winner of the knockout semifinal match between Poblacion Oriental and Nangka.

Pulpogan struggled in their early goings resulting into a five-point deficit at halftime, 31-36, but laid down a relentless offensive in the third canto to seize the upper hand, 61-51, for good entering the final 10-minute zone. Pulpogan then neutralized Lamac in the closing minutes of the contest to secure a double-digit win.

In a sudden-death duel under the Inter-Barangay Seniors Category B, Rex Lopez, Walter Magale and Warren Madena connived for 35 points as Sacsac beat Panoypoy to the pulp, 74-44.

Leading by 12 after three quarters, 38-50, Sacsac clamped down Panoypoy to only six points in the final period while scoring 24 to dish out a masterful 30-point demolition.

Also, Polog kept its title hopes alive after terminating Tilhaong, 91-78, in the SK Juniors Category A, in the same way with Tilhaong in the Midgets Category B after it booted out Panas, 78-67.

Ransel Ouano paced Polog with 32 points followed by Reswin Gungob with 21 and Melvin Fernandez with 16 points. Clarence Cabahug scattered 25 points, while Christian Betic and Ashley Tolingin had a combined 31 points for Tilhaong. (FREEMAN)