Talisay fires warning shot to rivals
CEBU, Philippines — The defending champions Talisay City Aquastars fired an early warning shot to their rivals about their serious title retention bid after obliterating the Sibonga Pillars, 96-69, in a rematch of last year’s South Division finals at the start of the 2019 Cebu Governor’s Cup Inter-Cities and Municipalities Under 21 Developmental Basketball Tournament last Saturday at the jampacked Talisay City Sports Complex.
Jay Deiparine dropped 11 of his 16 points in a decisive opening assault, 28-14, that became Talisay’s launching pad to the wire-to-wire victory, their 15th straight overall stretching from last season where they bagged the championship with a perfect 14-0 record under the guidance of coach Rey Michael Gurrea.
C. Ruedas also figured prominently after unloading 15 of his team-high 17 points in the first half, including nine in the second period where the Aquastars outfoxed the Pillars, 27-14, for an imposing 55-28 bulge at halftime.
After three quarters, it was already a done deal for Talisay with a staggering 31-point lead, 77-46.
Oudy Francis Acedo and Ronan Briones were the other double-digit scorers for Talisay with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
In the other 1st District action, the Minglanilla Archangels escaped past the San Fernando Spartans, 73-69, while the Naga City Electrifiers hammered the Carcar City Lechoneros, 77-61.
Over at the Oslob municipal gym for the 2nd Distict battle, Argao frustrated host Oslob, 63-59, Samboan pulled off a 79-78 cliffhanger over Boljoon, while Alcoy smothered Santander, 86-60.
In the other South Division matches under the 7th District Bracket A played at the Dumanjug municipal gym, Dumanjug whipped Alcantara, 89-53, while Moalboal downed Ronda, 78-71.
Up North at the Bogo City Coliseum under the 4th District cluster, Bogo opened its campaign with an 88-62 thrashing of the Santa Fe Seafarers, Tabogon edged Tabuelan, 79-72, while Medellin bested San Remigio, 76-66.
At the Danao City Sports and Civic Center for 5th District Bracket B games, last year’s first runner-up San Francisco slammed Poro, 91-62, in a showdown of islanders from Camotes, while Danao spared no mercy in its 119-62 annihilation of the hapless Tudela.
In 5th District Bracket A at the Catmon municipal gym, Sogod overcame Catmon, 74-73, while Carmen survived Borbon, 87-85, a pair of thrilling encounters.
In the lone 3rd District duel at the Tuburan municipal gym, Balamban prevailed over Tuburan by the slimmest of margins, 97-96, in the first overtime game this season, while in the only scheduled match under the 6th District at the Consolacion Sports Complex, the Consolacion Sarok Weavers upended Cordova, 85-78. (FREEMAN)