CEBU, Philippines - Poblacion Occidental rode on a sizzling final-half show to crush Cansaga, 85-65, in their knockout match and book the first finals ticket in Category A of the Inter-Barangays division in the 3rd Mayor Teresa "Nene" P. Alegado Fiesta Cup basketball tournament at the Brgy. Jugan open court.
Poblacion Occidental led by only two points at halftime, 43-41, but suddenly waxed hot after the short break on the way to come up with a 20-point blowout.
Poblacion will face next the winner of the other sudden-death duel between Pulpogan and Lamac. Lamac stayed alive after pinning down the twice-to-beat Pulpogan, 82-76, last week.
A total of 21 barangays are taking part in the month-long tilt, which is among the highlights of Consolacion's annual fiesta celebration in honor of its beloved patron San Narciso on October 29.
Seeing action under category A are barangays Polog, Panas, Panoypoy, Lanipga, Garing, Sacsac, Tilhaong, and Tolotolo.
Comprising category B are barangays Poblacion Oriental, Poblacion Occidental, Cansaga, Pulpugan, Danlag, Casili, Tugbungan, Nangka, Pitogo, Lamac, Tayud, and Jugan.
The annual hardcourt joust is fully supported by Concolacion Mayor Teresa P. Alegado, Vice Mayor Rey Damole, and all members of the Sangguniang Bayan.
The working committee is composed of sports chairman Boy Tibon assisted by Ben Ermac, ABC President Marilou P. Casul and SK Federation President Vito Rolito Villo as co-chairpersons. The games are supervised by league commissioner Paul Alelu Q. Flores, a former star player of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws during his UAAP days.
Flores also extended his gratitude to Diosdada Gielcyx, Peter Cabillada, Ronaldo Alimoren and all the barangay council members for their invaluable support to the annual fiesta basketball league.— EBV (FREEMAN)