Los Jefes de Cebu blasts Goldstar Hardware Davao

Los Jefes de Cebu reaffirmed its status as back-to-back PAL Intersports basketball champion by crushing Goldstar Hardware Davao, 87-76, during their goodwill encounter last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

The visiting Davaoeños were in fighting mood only in the first quarter when they posted a 22-20 lead as Los Jefes de Cebu fired back with a blistering 30-18 run in the second quarter to enjoy a double-digit edge at the intermission, 50-40.

Los Jefes de Cebu's advantage bubbled into 15 points after three quarters, 76-61, and Goldstar Hardware failed to get out of that deep hole until the final buzzer.

Enrico Espinosa topscored with 19 points, including 10 during the tide-turning rally in the second period, but it was spunky guard Remberto Lawas who was picked as the MVP for his all-around brilliance with 17 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals.

It was truly a resounding triumph for the undermanned Los Jefes de Cebu, which played without several key players including Joseph Paul Maninang, Julius Gastador, and Geno Mario Naron.

Los Jefes de Cebu also takes pride for handing Goldstar Hardware its first defeat in three exhibition games in Cebu this year. Goldstar Hardware's latest victim was the reigning Executive's Cup champion San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA) All-Stars.

Espinosa and Lawas was heavily backed up by Esteban Cesar Ortega, who also had 17 points on top of 10 rebounds, while team captain Chester Cokaliong scored all his 12 points from the three-point territory.

Cokaliong, an indomitable force from beyond the arc, was doubly happy as he grabbed his 12th 3-point shootout crown in his career. A week ago, Cokaliong regained his throne as the 3-point king in the Winners' League.

It was actually a 1-2 finish for Los Jefes de Cebu as Reynaldo Abarquez, a late substitute for the injured Paul Maninang, took home the first runner-up honors. Abarquez was three points behind Cokaliong, who sank 14 markers in the final round.

Cokaliong, however, just settled for the first runner-up honors in the 2-ball contest with partner Zotico Tan.

Cokaliong and Tan were so hot in the elimination round, drilling in 53 points, but fumbled in the championship phase with just 33 points to fall prey at the hands of Goldstar's tandem of Jigger Saniel and Anthony Embrano, who only had 31 points in the qualifying round, but torched 51 markers in the finals.

In the free throw shooting contest, the Goldstar Hardware mainstays scored a clean sweep led by Saniel, who wrested the championship after hitting a perfect 10-of-10 from the stripe. Embrano wound up second, but not before edging out Lawas in the playoff.

The scores

Los Jefes de Cebu (87) - Espinosa 19, Lawas 17, Ortega 17, Cokaliong 12, Arias 8, Sia 6, Cabaltera 6, Abarquez 2

Goldstar Hardware Davao (76) - Embrano 18, Salvacion 15, Lim 14, Barral 14, Saniel 7, Ongko 6, Tan 2

Quarterscores: 20-22, 50-40, 76-61, 87-76