Petron-Goldberry, RDAK Transporters go 2-0 in SHAABAA

CEBU, Philippines -  Defending champions Petron-Goldberry and RDAK Transporters stormed to their second straight wins to take the temporary lead in their respective divisions in the 20th Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) season last Wednesday at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu old campus gym along General Maxilom Avenue, this city.

Bull-strong center Robert Gilo muscled his way to a 15-point finish, while Dave Ting and Justin Huang banged in 13 and 12 markers, respectively, as Petron-Goldberry escaped with a 58-52 victory over league newcomer Bayfront Hotel Cebu of playing coach Elmer 'Boy' Cabahug to go 2-0 in Division A.

Petron-Goldberry actually trailed by eight points after the first quarter, 9-17, but charged back with a blistering 36-22 rally in the middle quarters to grab the lead, 45-39, for food. Goldberry then  neutralized Bayfront's offense in the final period to squeeze out a six-point victory.

Elmer Cabahug had 16 points, while his son Elddie scored 14 for Bayfront, which suffered its second straight loss.

In the other Division A games, last year's runner-up Cebu Landmasters of team owner Jose Franco Soberano bounced back from an opening day setback  and vented their ire on the equally-tough RDAK Stallions, 58-53, while Chick@phil Basic prevailed over Gaisano Capital, 38-24, in a low-scoring duel.

Former collegiate standout Moncief Rogado and Daryle Tan churned out 16 points apiece for the Cebu Landmasters, which detonated a devastating 21-5 endgame bomb to wipe out a 37-48 deficit and eventually stun the Stallions at the final buzzer.

Lucky Ecarma had 17 points but to no avail as the Stallions fell to 1-1.

In Division B, the RDAK Transporters banked on a balanced offensive to outlast Caltex Delo, 53-42. John Paul Cabrera netted 13 points for RDAK, which used a 21-13 run in the third quarter to rip the game apart. No Caltex Delo player finished in double figures as it suffered its first defeat.

In the same bracket, AutoLAB easily marched its way to a 48-25 demolition of Filmon Finishing Studio.

Jose Anthony Uy nailed 10 markers for AutoLAB, which was never threatened after jumping off to a hot 15-5 start. AutoLAB now holds a 1-1 record, while Filmon crashed to 0-2.—EBV (FREEMAN)