Talisay pounds Naga, Argao goes 3-0 in Governor’s Cup

CEBU, Philippines — The defending champion Talisay City Aquastars unleashed a powerful opening attack to knock the lights out of the Naga City Electrifiers, 86-71, for second straight win in the 2019 Cebu Governor’s Cup Inter-Cities and Municipalities Under 21 Developmental Basketball Tournament last Saturday night at Naga’s Enan Chiong Activity Center.

What was expected to be a close encounter between the 1st District top contenders turned out to be a lopsided match as Talisay of coach Rey Michael Gurrea ripped the game apart from the get go.

After sprinting to a hot 23-10 start, the Aquastars dealt the Electrifiers with another crushing 32-17 blow in the second quarter.

Clark Louis Ruedas scored all his 17 points in the first half that helped vault the Aquastars to a commanding 55-27 lead at the break.

In their 15-point romp, the Aquastars showed great team effort, drawing stellar performances from the likes of Kendrick Abarquez, Rodel Beduya, Oudy Francis Acedo, Jay Deiparine, Keaton Taburnal and John Elmer Villabrille.

Kevin Guibao exploded for 30 points but his singular offensive outburst went for naught for the Electrifiers.

In other 1st District games, the San Fernando Spartans pounded the Sibonga Pillars, 81-66, while the Carcar City Lechoneros outlasted the Minglanilla Archangels, 81-76.

Over at the Boljoon Municipal gym, Jomari Parantar scored 20 points, while Jimbo Torion, son for former PBA star Jimwell Torion, added 18 as Argao frustrated the slumping Boljoon, 88-79, to extend its unbeaten run to three games and move on the verge of top seeding in the 2nd Disrict cluster.

The No.2 spot is a three-cornered fight among Alcoy, Oslob and Samboan with identical 2-1 win-loss records.

The Oslob Sharks notched their second win at the expense of Alcoy Siloy, 88-84, while Siempre Samboan downed the Santander Kangaroos, 76-72.

At the Tabuelan municipal gym for the 4th District action, host Tabuelan annihilated Santa Fe, 97-58, while Madridejos escaped past San Remigio, 71-69.

Tabuelan is coached by US-based Cebuano skills trainer and coach Jeff Codera. A member of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors training camp, Codera is also a licensed ‘Gold’ coach of USA Basketball under its Youth Development Program.

In Tudela, Camotes Island for the 5th District Bracket B action, last year’s runner-up San Francisco mauled Tudela, 88-54, while Danao City, whose coach Edsel Vallena has just been named as head coach of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, slammed Poro, 82-71.

In the other results, Balamban edged Barili, 80-75, Sogod rolled past Borbon, 98-88, Moalboal clobbered Alcantara, 78-50, Dumanjug hammered Ronda, 91-65, Badian subdued Ginatilan, 95-91, while Alegria pummeled Malabuyoc, 105-84. (FREEMAN)