Talisay, Tuburan go 3-0 in Gov’s Cup

CEBU, Philippines — The defending champions Talisay City Aquastars and Tuburan showed no signs of slowing down despite the Holy Week break after they pounded separate foes to stay undefeated in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Cebu Governor’s Cup Inter-Cities and Municipalities Under 21 Developmental Basketball Tournament.

Talisay banked on a decisive opening assault to trounce the Minglanilla Archangels, 91-78, while Tuburan launched a deadly endgame attack to turn back Sogod, 90-81.

Talisay and Tuburan thus kept their hold of the Bracket B lead with identical 3-0 records.

Kendrick Abarquez dropped 15 points while Keaton Clyde Taburnal and Elmer Villabrille each scored 14 for Talisay, which rattled Minglanilla with a vicious 31-10 punch in the first period.

The outcome of the match was already a foregone conclusion when Talisay built an eye-popping 35-point advantage at halftime, 59-24.

Minglanilla failed to climb out of that deep hole despite its second-half surge on the way suffer its second loss in four games.

On the other hand, Joyce Lee Oropiano and Romyr Kirt Gonzaga connived for 55 big points as Tuburan turned the tables on Sogod after a sluggish performance in the middle quarters.

Down by six at the end of the third canto, 60-66, Tuburan closed the match with a 30-15 bang to fluster Sogod at the final buzzer. Sogod is now out of contention after crashing to its fourth straight loss.

In the other Bracket B match, Alegria subdued Tabuelan, 111-99, to snap out of its two-game skid. Tabuelan fell to 1-3.

In Bracket A games, the Medellin Sweeteners upended Argao, 94-84, the Balamban Shipbuilders spanked Siempre Samboan, 77-65, while Danao City mauled Dumanjug, 96-70.

Medellin and Balamban currently share the second spot with similar 3-1 cards behind the 3-0 Mandaue City Balllers. (FREEMAN)