Heroes come in abundance for Lapu-Lapu

ARQ Builders-Lapu-Lapu fended off Dumaguete, 67-57, for its second straight win in the inaugural Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup yesterday at the Alcantara Civic Center in Cebu.

The Heroes led by as many as 16 points but needed timely hits from Reed Juntilla and Jerick Cañada to survive the Warriors for a good follow-up to their 75-61 opener win against Tabogon.

Juntilla, a Cebuano, posted 12 points, four rebounds and three assists while Cañada uncorked a 9-8-6 line, including the dagger trey in the last minute. Ferdinand Lusdoc chipped in 14.

“We struggled in the first half but we adjusted well on defense and communication on offense in the third period onwards,” said Juntilla, who had stints with Barako Bull, Meralco and Air21 in the PBA.

Up by just two after two quarters, Lapu-Lapu found its groove in the second half for a 61-45 separation before allowing a Dumaguete fightback.

The Warriors moved to within 54-61 off a Jerick Nacpil jumper but Juntilla found Lusdoc for an open lay-up. Then Cañada hit a triple in crunch time to seal the deal for the Heroes.

John Monteclaro racked up 20 markers and four boards while Nacpil added 10 for the Warriors, who also succumbed to Siquijor last weekend, 100-105, for a 0-2 start.

At 2-0, Lapu-Lapu assumed the lead in the seven-team Visayas leg while fellow opening-week winners MJAS Zenith-Talisay (1-0) and KCS- Mandaue (1-0) were playing as of press time.

Winless squads Tubigon Bohol (0-1) and Tabogon (0-1) were to play each other last night.