T&T Barako paces CABA hoop

The Tony Piloton-led T & T Barako logged its fourth straight victories after crushing Mitsubishi Motors, 88-78, Thursday night to pace the ongoing elimination round of the Cebu Athletics Basketball Association (CABA)- Tommy n Tony at the San Nicolas Sports Complex, Cebu City.

Mitsubishi jumped off to a rousing start to take a five-point lead, 28-23, in the opening period sparked by the trio of Mat Zamora, Pabling Dayap and Joe Basilisco.

But their defense collapsed in the second canto as the Barakos unleashed a blazing 28-9 run to mount a commanding 14-point bulge at halftime, 51-37, behind the combined fire-power of Ajie Quijano, Benjie Orquez and Rol Saladaga.

Tony Piloton then provided the leadership and dished off several assists that gave Barako's lead with over 20-point mark enroute to the final quarter.

The Motormen, on the other hand, staged a spiritual rally to close the gap but fell short with time running out. The loss dropped Mitsubishi to 1-4 card.

Earlier, Julie's Bakeshop trounced former pacesetter, Felmar Enterprises, 98-92, for its second win in four tries while Felmar is still ahead with 3-2 card.

The Breadmakers dominated the duration of the game despite the presence of the towering center of Felmar's 6-foot-4 Jordan Alano and former USP Panthers Caloy Lim.

They even erected a 15 point lead, as it banked on the game-high score of Jimmy Carcueva with 25 points, who was fully backed by Audie Abejo and Cito Campos with 20 and 17 points, respectively.

Ringo Balbuena was also a big factor, scoring all his 10 points in the pivotal fourth quarter to bail the Breadmakers out of danger.

Jordan Alano led Felmar with a game-high 34 points while Caloy Lim and Eddie Ybañez added a combined 30 points in a losing effort.

Last Friday night, AC Sports Five of Archie Baba scored a high scoring game after upsetting the highly favored Corrtech squad, 130-108, to even its standing with identical 2-4 cards.

Mariano Chowking scored 31 points to spearhead AC Sports while Cesar Ortega paced the defeated Corrtech with 42 point, which also drew 18 and 14 points, respectively from Cary Sanchez and Egang Tabalin.

The Scores:

Thursday Night

JULIE'S (98)- Carcueva 25, Abejo 20, Campos 17, Be. Tabalin 11, Balbuena 10, M. Gamallo 5, Laborte 4, Bo. Tabalin 3, P. Tabalin 2 and Cavite 1

FELMAR (92)- Alano 34, Lim, Ybañez 11, Donio 9, Pahamutang 9, Nuñez 5, Capuno 3 and Satorre 2

BARAKO (88)- Quijano 20, Orquez 16, Saladaga 14, Baclay 10, Rafols 5, Piloton 5, Tano 4, Cabangbang 4, Dayondon 4, Rapuela 2, Rodriguez 2 and Calma 2

MITSUBISHI (78)- Zamora 27, Dayap 14, Basilisco 10, Biton 8, Cenabre 8, Alisoso 4, Pimentel 2, Prosia 2, Tulod 2 and Albina 1

Friday Night

AC SPORTS (130)- Chowking 31, Barcelon 14, Colliflores 12, Dapiton 12, Dano 12, Honoridez 10, J. Gonzaga 8, Pader 8, Rodriguez 7, Montañez 6, Baba 5, Opaco 4 and Misa 2

CORRTECH (108)- Ortega 42, Sanchez 18, Tabalin 14, R. Castillo 8, B. Castillo 6, Villar 6, Encorporado 6, A. Gonzaga 4, Enduma 3 and Dico 1