Arong's last-second shot lifts Cavaliers past Leaf Over in Better Run caging

CEBU - Ramil Arong hit an undergoal stab in the final seven seconds of the contest to lift the Cavaliers to an 87-85 squeaker over Leaf Over in the 2009 Better Run Sinulog Cup basketball tournament at the Maria Gochan Sports Complex in Brgy. Mambaling, this city. It was the Cavaliers’ first win in three starts.

Leaf Over actually had a chance to wrap up the match as it had the ball possession when the score stood at 85-all with 24 ticks left before the final buzzer. But Cavaliers’ power forward Ruel Sestoso made a crucial interception and quickly handed the ball to Sestoso, who then courageously sank the winning basket.

Sestoso paced the Cavaliers with 20 points followed by Jerome Gador and Arong with 29 markers combined. Two others dished out twin figures in Julius de los Angeles and Gerry Canahug with 12 points each.

Dodong Millior had a season-high 34 points for Leaf Over, while Tata Salasa scored 20 in a losing cause.

 In the other games, the Danny Duran-led Vernel quintet demolished the Bucks, 93-67, Colveta shocked the much-favored Conner Express, 87-79. Vernel and Colveta both improved their win-loss records to 2-1, while dropping their foes to 1-2.

The scores

First game

Cavaliers (87) — Sestoso 20, Gador 15, Arong 14, delos Angeles 12, Cabahug 12, Sarabai 8, Pacanla Leaf Over (85) — Millior 34, Salasa 20, Llamado 8, Cañete 6, Calvo 4, Cabreros 3, Fernandez 3, Manginsay 3, Valle 2, Medalla 2

Second game

Vernel (93) — Ceballos 19, Campos 16, Carceuva 12, Lopez 10, Mosqueda 6, B. Tabalin 6, Gador 6, Cuizon 4, Martillan 4, Duran 4, Ledesma 2, Arias 2, Villarta 2

Bucks (67) — Ramirez 20, Omerez 17, Alba 13, Moneva 7, Sasan 4, Andrade 3, Ebo 3

Third game

Colveta (87) — Trodio 18, Macion 17, Rentuma 12, Sega 10, Vergara 10, Balatero 10, Dy 8, Taboada 5, Abrera 4, Paez 4

Conner Express (79) — Ledesma 22, Tabalin 15, Unabia 13, Ocañada 7, Capacite 6, Cabusas 4, Albaño 4, Romeo 4, Hamis 2, Pumareja 2 (GGM)   (THE FREEMAN)