Mandaue unleashed fury

MANDAUE City finally got their acts together to collar the elusive victory following two heart-breaking losses with a lopsided 104-75 win over the hapless Team Cordova to improve its chances to advance to the “inter-district” round of the Cebu Governor’s Cup Inter-Cities/Municipalities Basketball Tournament in Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex. The win put the Gary Cortes-mentored Mandaue City to the winner’s column, but the most important thing is that it put them in a good position to clinch one of the two seats allotted for sixth district.

Kenneth Brillo played a monster game for Mandaue City as he finished with the team high 25 points, including 11 in the third period that helped Mandaue overcame Cordova uprising lead by Kevin Ventura who made 19 of the game high 28 points also in the third period. Aside from Brillo the other players scoring twin digits  for Mandaue were Arche Buscay who had 18 points and Paul Sungahid and Gab Cometa who scored 14 points each while Karl Ventura was the other Cordova player to score in double figure with 14.

Cordova, however, could complicate the standings as they shoot to avenge its 85-78 loss last March 9 when they host Consolacion Sarok Weavers next Saturday in Cordova Municipal gym. Meanwhile, Alcoy Siloy worked doubly hard to beat the erstwhile unbeaten Argao 86-76 in Alcoy Municipal Gym. The win put the Siloy at the top along with its prey and Siempre Samboan which scored a thrilling 86-82 win over Oslob Whale Sharks in the opening game.

The three teams now carry a 3-1 win-loss record and it would be broken tonight when Alcoy visits Samboan for their final game of the elimination round. The winner will advance to the next round while the loser will likely bid farewell to their shot at the crown. RR de los Santos jumpstarted the scoring spree  of the Siloy with two triples, on its way to building an 18-pointnlead, 60-42, late in the third period.

Argao made the push in the final quarter but they failed cut down the host’s lead beyond four points as Renley de Leon and Hance Estrera connected important baskets and free throws to help Alcoy survive the onslaught. The high flying Estrera made 27 points, the versatile de Leon added 24 and the speedster de los Santos finished with 16 points while Jomari Parantar scored the game high 28 points, and Jimboy Torion added 21 as Argao suffered its first loss in four games.

Tuburan on the other hand snatched the leadership in the 3rd District after returning the favour to its early tormentor in Balamban Sports Complex. Miguelito Jusay opened the scoring spree for Tuburan as he scored 13 of his 15 points in the opening quarter, Joyce Lee Oropiano took care of the second by scoring 12 of his 23 points and Romyrkirt Gonzaga made 12 his 22 points in the third to take away the fight from Balamban. In the 7th District, Ginatilan rocked the team standing in 7-B after scoring an 84-81win against Malabuyoc, its first after three tries.