Talisay battles Sibonga in Governor’s Cup South finals

CEBU, Philippines — The Talisay City AquaStars and Sibonga Pillars terminated their respective foes to set up a best-of-three duel for the South Division championship of the 2nd Governor’s Cup Inter-Cities and Municipalities Under-21 Developmental Basketball Tournament on Monday night at the Bonifacio Bacaltos Sports Centrum in Sibonga town, south of Cebu.

Talisay again personified great team effort to outlast Alegria, 87-69, while Sibonga rode on a decisive endgame attack to send Barili packing, 84-69.

With 2-0 records in the single round robin play, Talisay and Sibonga are already a lock in the South finals regardless of the outcome of their last semis game against each other on Saturday at the Talisay City Sports Complex.

Elmer Echavez finished with 15 points, Beduya scored 13, while Keaton Clyde Taburnal and Jay Deiparine connived for 23 points for Talisay, which was never threatened after getting off to a flying 30-15 start.

The AquaStars further ripped the game apart at haftime, 52-32, leaving Alegria in complete disarray the rest of the way.

In the nightcap, John Bryle Cuyos sparkled with 28 points for the Pillars of Sibonga.

Cuyos drew huge support from John Klarenz Sonsona and Frederick Rosales with 10 markers apiece, and Ehman Ronen Suarez and Andres Regidor with 18 combined points for the Pillars.

The two protagonists figured in a close-quarter battle from the get go resulting to a 55-all deadlock after three quarters, but Sibonga, driven by the loud cheers of its hometown fans, breathed fire in the final stretch to wipe out Barili via a 29-14 scoring binge. - EBV