Talisay, Carcar arrange title clash in Gullas Legacy Cup

CEBU, Philippines — The Talisay City Aquastars and Carcar City Lechoneros knocked out their respetive rivals to set up a championship showdown in the Samsam Gullas Cup 3.0 Cebu 1st District Legacy Cup Inter-Cities and Municipalities Basketball Tournament last Saturday night at the Talisay City Sports Complex.

Jay Deiparine, Raffy Bacasmas and Keaton Clyde Taburnal stole the show as the Aquastars handed the San Fernando Spartans their exit papers in the six-week tilt, 87-67, to barge into the finals, while the Rey Joseph Alfeche shone the brighest as the Lechoneros dethroned the Minglanilla Archangels, 75-72, to grab the other championship ticket.

Deiparine scattered 19 points on top of five steals, three rebounds and two assists, Bacasmas chalked up 18 points and seven boards while Taburnal scattered 17 points, eight assists, six rebounds and two steals in an all-around show for Talisay that earned him the Best Player of the Game honors.

 Dominant from the start, the Aquastars were never seriously threatened after closing the first half with a 49-38 advantage.

Ronaldo Geraldino, John Carl Soreso and Keith Gulle all finished with 16 points in a losing effort for San Ferando.

On the other hand, Alfeche unloaded a solid double-double with 22 points and 16 rebounds laced with five assists and two steals to help the Lechoneros survive a nip and tuck battle against the gritty Archangels.

Alfeche got huge support from Leonilo Martorillas with 18 points, five rebounds and four steals as well as from Kyle Lauronilla who finished with 11 points and nine rebounds.

Alvier Alforque led Minglanilla with 20 points, while Ryzel Gilbuena and Lyle Eredera tallied 17 and 13 markers, respectively, in a losing cause.

Talisay and Carcar will begin their best-of-three title series on February 5. Game 2 will be played on February 9, while Game 3, in necessary, is scheduled on February 10.

The champion will take home P80,000, while the second to fourth placers will pocket P60,000, P40,000 and P20,000. (FREEMAN)