Gilas Defenders, Pañeros go 4-0 in IBP-Cebu Basketball League

CEBU, Philippines — The defending champion Gilas Defenders and the Pañeros bulldozed their respective rivals to stretch their unbeaten run to 4-0 in the 2019 Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Cebu Basketball League First Conference at the Capitol Parish gym along Escario Street, Cebu City.

Van Ligutan and Rowell Juban unloaded 22 points each as the Gilas Defenders dumped the Dissenters Bad Boys, 85-69, for their fourth straight win in as many starts while Barrytone Busi and Gerald Pelare connived for 30 points for the Pañeros, who also stayed perfect after a 79-61 shellacking of the Anecita Red Vipers.

Christopher Ang chipped in 13 markers for the Gilas Defenders, which virtually put the victory in the palm of their hands with an insurmountable 52-31 advantage at halftime.

 Ferdi Riveral finished with 25 points while Reiner Apolinario scored 18 but their efforts went for naught as the Bad Boys fell to 2-2.

The Pañeros, on the other hand, gamely recovered from a sluggish start to turn the tables on the Red Vipers at the final buzzer.

Trailing 14-18 at the end of the first period, the Pañeros countered with a scorching 17-5 rally, then outpointed the Red Vipers in the final half, 48-38, to come up with a 18-point romp.

In the other games, the Spartans and the Cebu Lex Idols posted contrasting victories to improve their records to 3-1.

Matt Medalle sizzled with 20 points, Nate Garcia and Charles Divinagracia scored 12 apiece to lift the Spartans to a hard-earned 73-67 triumph over the Rebels, while James Jabil, Francis Pepito and Reman Manubag conspired for 42 points to power the Cebu Lex Idols to a 66-23 obliteration of the hapless YLAC side.  

YLAC further languished at the tailend of the standings together with the Red Vipers and Spartans who are also listless in four games.— EBV