Moneva brothers lift Pulpogan to thrilling start in Alegado Cup
CEBU, Philippines — Brothers Russel and Rexon Moneva stole the show as Pulpogan kicked off its title defense with a spine-chilling 71-68 victory over Cansaga in the Inter-Barangay Seniors Category A of the 8th Mayor Teresa ‘Nene’ P. Alegado Fiesta Basketball League in Consolacion.
Russel Moneva, the MVP in the open category of last year’s Talisay City Mayor’s Cup, dropped 21 points, while Rexon banged in 14 markers for Pulpogan, which overcame a daring endgame fightback by Cansaga to open its back-to-back championship bid on a rousing note.
Former University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancer JC Escalona chipped in 11 points for Pulpogan, which squandered a 21-point lead after three quarters, 62-41, but recovered in time to escape with a pulsating three-point decision.
In the other IB Seniors A games, Benson Colango scattered 38 points, Gilmar Ponce scored 27 and Rumar Ponce had 23 as Nangka blasted Pitogo, 102-93, while John Haniel Abinales sizzled with 17 points and Larry Malagar and Pipo Flores submitted 11 points apiece as Poblacion Oriental pounded Lamac, 81-60.
In IB Seniors Category B, Lanipga overcame Tilhaong, 74-71, while Carl Jay Mangilaya, Carl John Ylaya, and Jonel Marayan connived for 33 points as Garing outlasted Sacsac, 64-56.
On the other hand, Winston Pepito and Fitz Ropal had a combined total of 31 points as Nangka edged Pitogo, 82-81, in the first overtime game of the tournament under the SK Juniors A.
In the same category, Adrian Don Adolfo sparkled with 22 points, and Christian Mapiscay and John Mark Alivio nailed 18 markers apiece as Lamac blasted Poblacion Oriental, 92-54, while Paulo Dalumpines, James Saliot, and Rodolf Igot tallied uniform scores of 18 as Pulpogan pummeled Cansaga, 82-61.
In SK Juniors B, Von Xyle Tundag and Edims Pongase had 33 combined points as Garing slammed Sacsac, 78-46, while John Talisic scored 14 to lead Tilhaong to a 66-50 drubbing of Lanipga.
The rest of the results saw Tilhaong edging Lanipga, 59-51, and Garing subduing Sacsac 47-36, in midgets B, while Lamac walloped Poblacion Oriental, 82-65, in midgets A. (FREEMAN)
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