CEBU - Liquid Tile, Sun & Rain and Bio-Fresh posted contrasting victories to kick off their respective title bids in Season 2 of the United Architects Basketball Club (UABC) billed as “Davies Cup” at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) gymnasium.
Liquid Tile rebuffed a late rally by Powerfloor to hack out a 69-64 victory, while Sun & Rain and Bio-Fresh had little trouble in disposing off separate foes. Sun & Rain smothered the Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC), 80-55, while Bio-Fresh slammed Megacryl, 57-46, to complete the winners’ circle in the opening week action.
Elmer Laguna paced Liquid Tile with 16 points. Jay Ramodes had 14 points, nine rebounds and two assists followed by Jonathan Suico with 12 markers and eighth caroms for Liquid Tile, which took the lead for good at halftime, 29-28, after erasing an early 11-16 deficit.
UABC president Antonio “Jay-R” Decatoria had a monster double-double show of 23 points and 13 rebounds on top of two steals and two blocks for Powerfloor. Oliver Tan banged in 20 markers but their efforts went for naught.
Sun & Rain, on the other hand, had four players cashing in twin figures led by Michael Cinco with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Jun Villacorta added 16 points, six rebounds and three assists, Jodl-Job Dabon donated 12 markers and Rolan Paolo Alberto scored 10 on top of eight assists as they left SAC groping for form after starting the game with a 19-2 blast.
Manny Villaruel paced the Sportswriters side with four triples of his 16 points that went along with seven rebounds, and two blocks. Calvin Cordova submitted 12 points and eight rebounds, Allan Defensor scored 10, while Lito Tecson wound up with nine points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
In the main game of a featured triple-header, Genaro Bejo had 12 points for Bio-Fresh. Jok-Jok Cabigas and Carl Mantos tossed in 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals combined.
Norman Lancin topped Megacryl with 14 points followed by Rhyan Pepito with 12 points, 15 rebounds, and two assists.
The scores
First game
Liquid Tile (69) - Laguna 16, Ramodes 14, Suico 12, Jugalbot 8, Sulay 8, Abella 3, Bordador 2, Choachuy 2, Conseguera 2, Lim 2
Powerfloor (64) - Decatoria 23, Tan 20, Lazanas 6, Ong 5, Camello 3, Cuizon 3, Bari 2, Go 2
Quarterscores: 11-16; 29-28; 53-44; 69-64
Second game
Sun & Rain (80) – Cinco 17, Villacorta 16, Dabon 12, Alberto 10, Emboy 6, Partosa 6, Anino 5, Perilla 4, Verano 4
SAC (55) – Villaruel 16, Cordova 12, Defensor 10, Tecson 9, Migallen 8
Quarterscores: 20-9; 42-25; 71-39; 80-55
Third game
Bio-Fresh (57) – Bejo 12, Mantos 11, Cabigas 10, Caisip 7, Sesbreño 7, Gelig 4, Daquipil 2, Osmeña 2, Zamora 2
Megacryl (46) - Lancin 14, Pepito 12, Agosto 9, Lumayag 8, Rengel 3
Quarterscores: 12-8, 22-18; 34-33; 57-46 – EBV (THE FREEMAN)