CARCAR City Lechoneros rekindled its hopes for an appearance to the next round after scoring a stunner over the reigning champions Talisay City Aquastars, 85-84 in the first district elimination of the Cebu Governernor’s Cup 2019 Inter-Cities/Municipalities Basketball Tournament in Minglanilla Sports Complex.
Ronald Delfino Jr. saved Carcar City from outright elimination with his buzzer beating triple to end the winning run of Talisay City that dated back in 2018 Season.
With only 4.3 seconds left to make an attempt, Delfino managed to escape the trapping defense of Talisay City from the backcourt, before he banked the winning trey from the right wing in time of the final buzzer.
The shot saved Carcar City from outright elimination and humiliation after they lost a double-digit lead in the first half.
Talisay City, which played without its starting center Kendrick Abarquez, struggled in the entire first half before Raffy Bacasmas, Clark Ruedas, Jay Deiparine and Keaton Taburnal combined efforts in the second half to take the lead from the Lechoneros.
However, after holding the lead for most of the final period, Carcar City had the last laugh when Delfino who scored 12 of his game high 28 points sank the dagger for the team’s third victory in five games.
Rey Joseph Alfeche added 14, Dilcer Gaviola provided 11 and Dave Abella contributed 10 points for Carcar City’s win while Taburnal topscored for Talisay City with 23, Ruedas finished with 18 and Deiparine made 17 as Talisay City’s unbeaten streak ended painfully.
The team standings in the first district was rocked a bit after the home team Minglanilla Archangels pulled 93-82 win over Naga City Electrifiers two hours later.
The Archangels, the champions of the inaugural Cebu Governor’s Cup title, was leading all the way, even listing 22-point lead at one point early in the fourth, 80-58, before they mellowed down and allowed Naga City to cut the lead down to 11 at the final buzzer.
Diminutive guard Alvier Alforque topscored for the Archangels with 22 points, Ryzel Gilbuena added 14, Mark Justine Nebril finished with 11 and Acer Go made 10 points while Danie Boy Lapiz who went 10-of-10 from the free throw line scored the team high 22 points, Marhl Vic Delantes and James Alforque had 13 points each, 11 points was contributed by Justine Verez and Jakhem Alguno tallied 10 points for Naga.
The Electrifiers and the Lechoneros finished their elimination round campaigns with 3-2 win-loss slates, while Minglanilla has improved to tie with San Fernado Spartans and each still has an all-important game to play on March 30.
Minglanilla will play the winless Sibonga Pillars while the Spartans will host the Aquastars in San Fernando Municipal Gym.
A win by Minglanilla and San Fernando will create a quintuple tie for the two slots to the next round, which can be resolved by the FIBA Olympic Quotient System.
Meanwhile, the results in Santa Fe Municipal gym in Bantayan Island includes Bogo City beating Tabogon 68-60, Tabuelan frustrating Medellin with an 84-81 shocker, and Madridejos kept the leadership in the 4th District race following a 110-61 win against the home team Santa Fe Seafarers.
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