The Cebuanos, who finished the pre-season games with an unblemished 5-0 win-loss record, employed full-court press from start to finish to paralyze the opposition which was made up of at least six PBA players namely Elmer Reyes, Jay Mendoza, Tata Fernandez, Ronald Magtulis, Mark Victoria and the hulking Chris Bolado.
Alex Cainglet and Doroteo Almacin, who were both from UC, led Tribu Sugbu's scoring cudgels with 19 and 13 points, respectively.
Mike Regalado led the Sumulong-Jarencio quintet with 16 points while Fernandez, who played for UV in college, scored 14 points and Jay Mendoza added 12 points.
Bolado and Roel Buenaventura, who both played centers for the losing team, finished with five points, apiece.
Tribu Sugbu is now eyeing no less than the championship trophies in the other legs, four of them to be played in Mindanao and one here in Cebu.
The scores
Tribu Sugbu (74) - Cainglet 19, Almacin 13, Sanz 8,Yabut 8, Bucao 7, Huelar 6, Butel 6, Nicdao 3, Mercado 2, Ducay 2
Sumulong-Jarencio (70) - Regalado 16, Fernandez 14, Mendoza 12, Victoria, Bolado 5, Buenaventura 5, Reyes 3, Pacheco 3, Magtulis 2, Careño 2 Halftime: 39-33