SCBHABA clinches semis berth MS Motosuit-UBC regains Bracket A lead in MP Cup basketball tilt

The M. Lhuillier-San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA) outlasted Barkada-Rama Boys, 76-60, to stay unbeaten after seven games and gain outright semifinal entry in the 1st MP Cup Invitational last Sunday at the USC-Main Gym.

With a perfect 7-0 record, SCBHABA is already assured of advancing into the next round even if it loses in its final elimination round assignment against Samsung-Punta Princesa Sports Association (PPSA) on December 1.

PPSA improved its win-loss record to 6-1 with a 78-63 romp of Crunchicken-Jaycees Basketball Association (JBA).

Virgil “Bing” Pua topped with 14 points followed by James Lu with 11 markers. John Andrew Auza and Bonito Zanoria each had 10 points for SCBHABA, which outclassed Rama Boys in the middle quarters, 45-24, to turn an early 18-21 deficit into a 63-45 advantage going into the final period.

Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael L. Rama charted 16 points, while Reynaldo Zamora added 14 for the Rama Boys, which slipped to third in Bracket B with a 5-2 win-loss mark.

Over in Bracket A, the MS Motosuit-UBC of sports patron Lou Ornopia knocked on the semifinal door with a 6-1 win-loss slate after vanquishing the Philippine Farmers Bank-Integrated Bar of the Philippines, 76-55.

A win over the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) Quenchers this Friday would earn UBC an automatic semifinal berth.

Once again, the UBC mainstays played with a great effort as evident of their balanced offensive. Lopesino Bontia had 18 points followed by Delfin Bontuyan and Geryl Bukiron with 10 markers each.

MS Motosuit-UBC never looked back after pounding IBP in the first quarter, 22-11. UBC outscored the lawyers in the final half, 38-23, for the 21-point demolition.

Richard Bauzon had 20 points followed by Samuel Malazarte with 15 for IBP, which fell to 3-4.

The scores
First game

UBC (76) - Bontia 18, Bukiron 10, Bontuyan 10, Arceo 9, Gonzaga 8, Diaz 6, Bongo 4, Lapiña 2, Bongo 2, Dicdican 2, Castro 2

IBP (55) - Bauzon 20, Malazarte 15, Pepito 6, Gamallo 5, Pepito 5, Dumon 4

Second game

SCBHABA (76) - Pua 14, Lu 11, Auza 10, Zanoria 10, Odulio 8, Sausa 7, Diaz 6, Sepe 3, Medija 3, Wong 2, Moriles 2, Velayo 2

Rama Boys (60) - Rama 16, Zamora 14, Alcover 10, Bacullo 9, Molina 7, Borres 2, De la Calzada 2