Talisay remains unbeaten, Cordova shocks Mandaue

Governor’s Cup Basketball

CEBU, Philippines — The defending champions Talisay City Aquastars streamed to their consecutive victory but Cordova dropped what is by far the biggest bombshell in the 2019 Cebu Governor’s Cup Inter-Cities and Municipalities Under 21 Developmental Basketball Tournament over the weekend.

At the Bonifacio Bacaltos Sports Centrum in Sibonga, Clyde Keaton Taburnal and Clark Louis Ruedas had 29 points in between them while Jay Deiparine chipped in 11 markers as the Aquastars waylaid the Minglanilla Archangels, 64-51, to firm up their grip of the 1st District lead with a clean 3-0 slate.

Still in the 1st District battle, the Naga City Electrifiers posted their second win in three starts at the expense of the skidding Sibonga Pillars, 75-71, while the San Fernando Spartans eked out a 60-57 win over the Carcar City Lechoneros to also go 2-1 in the standings.

But the biggest story so far in the province-wide tiff organized by the Cebu Provincial Sports Commission (CPSC) was written by Cordova after it stunned Mandaue via an 89-88 nail-biter last Sunday evening at the Cordova Sports Complex.

Karl Ventura brought the heaviest damage on Mandaue after bombing in 27 points for Cordova to the delight of their hometown fans. He was ably backed up by George Sumalinog Jr. and Mark Jayson Lubas with 17 and 11 points, respectively.

It was another heart-breaker for Team Mandaue of CESAFI grandslam coach Gary Cortes, which also lost by the slimmest of margins to the Consolacion Sarok Weavers, 86-85, during its opening assignment.

 Gabriel Cometa scored 19 and Kenneth Brillo nailed 17 markers but could not prevent Mandaue from crashing to its second straight loss.

In 5th District Bracket B games, Danao City trounced last year’s first runner-up San Francisco, 71-49, in a battle of unbeaten teams to go 3-0 while Poro prevailed over Tudela, 61-57, to snap out of its two-game jinx.

In the 4th District cluster, Madridejos, Medellin and Tabogon coasted to their second win in a row to forge a three-way tie in the leaderboard.

Madridejos upset Bogo City, 100-97, Tabogon beat San Remigio to the pulp, 95-61, while the Medellin Sweeteners crushed the Santa Fe Seafarers, 83-63. (FREEMAN)