Sogod cagers bag crown of 3rd Congressman Red Durano Cup hoopla

CEBU – Sogod had to pass through the proverbial eye of the needle before pulling off a nerve-tingling 89-87 victory over Danao City in their knockout final duel to seize the championship of the 3rd Congressman Red Durano Cup at the Danao City Sports and Civic Center.

The Sogod cagers posted a slim 20-18 lead after the first period, but Danao charged back in the second canto to gain a nine-point advantage at halftime, 47-38.

Behind Roy Arnado's offensive outburst, Sogod pulled within 63-68 before knotting the count at 72-all. The last deadlock stood at 72-all as Sogod rattled Danao with its stifling pressure defense in the closing seconds of the match.

Arnado sparkled with 24 points spiked with five 3-pointers, but it was Welbert Sayson who romped off the coveted MVP trophy. Sayson finished with 23 markers followed by Elde Trangia and Mara Enrique with 14 points apiece.

Sogod took home P50,000, while Danao pocketed P30,000.

Earlier, Carmen, bannered by 6-foot-8 giant Junmar Fajardo, handily mauled Poro, Camotes, 100-69, to claim the third place honors and the P20,000 bounty that goes along with it. Poro got P10,000.

Fajardo, a University of Cebu (UC) mainstay, scored 15, while Ronnie Ruiz and Lyric Into banged in 27 points combined for Carmen.

Their joint efforts were strong enough to spoil the 25-point show by Poro's Eliud Poligrates, a star player of Southwestern University (SWU).

Jeremy Estrera and Rodel Olitres each had 17 points in a losing cause.

The scores

For third

Carmen (100) – Fajardo 15, Ruiz 14, Into L. 13, Manzo 12, Ramos 6, Buot 6, Bugtai 6, Pongautan 6, Factor 5, Perez 5, Malinao 4, Bonjoc 4, Into A. 2, Dorong 2

Poro (69) – Poligrates 27, Estrera 17, Olitres 13, Sevilleno 6, Sevilleno G. 4, Estrera J.2

Championship

Sogod (89) – Arnado 24, Sayson 23, Trangia 14, Enrique 14, Laurel 12, Belande 2

Danao (87) – Zanoria, Enrique 22, Luga 19, Caputulan 12, Toledo11, Paradiang 7, Calderon 7, Capoy 6, Basañes 3 – Marigold P. Lebumfacil (THE FREEMAN)