Talisay, Sibonga inch closer to South finals in Gov’s Cup
CEBU, Philippines — The Talisay City AquaStars and Sibonga kicked off their semifinal campaigns on a bright note in the South Division of the 2nd Cebu Governor’s Cup Inter-Cities and Municipalities Under-21 Developmental Basketball Tournament at the Alegria municipal gym on Saturday evening.
On fire from the start, the AquaStars hammered the hapless Barili side, 113-88, while Sibonga rode on a sizzling offensive in the middle quarters to frustrate Alegria, 101-88.
Talisay and Sibonga could render the final four in the South bracket non-bearing if they notch another victory when they swap opponents tonight.
The AquaStars will play Alegria at 6 pm, while Sibonga will play host to Barili at 7:30 pm at the Sibonga municipal gym.
Talisay never looked back after racing to a 31-21 start. The AquaStars dropped a 25-14 bomb in the third before outscoring Barili in the final frame, 33-28, for the 25-point blowout.
Elmer Echavez lead all scorers with 20 points, Ronan Briones added 16, while Keaton Clyde Taburnal and Jay Deiparine connived for 27 markers for Talisay.
In the nightcap, Alegria got off to a flying 20-13 start but Sibonga, behind the hot hands of Andres Regidor complemented by the inside scoring of Ehman Ronen Suarez, responded with a 33-19 blitz to seize the driver’s seat at halftime, 46-39.
John Bryle Cuyos and Frederick Rosales then picked up the scoring cudgels as Sibonga outscored the home team, 25-15, in the third period to take full control of the match, 71-54.
Cuyos and Regidor charted 21 points each, Suarez hit 18 markers, Rosales added 15, while Gerald Ignacio and John Klarenz Sonsona banged in 12 and 10 points, respectively, in Sibonga’s balanced attack. – EBV (FREEMAN)
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