CEBU, Philippines - The top-ranked Mactan Hotmen of collector Bingo Matugas quelled two daring rallies by the upset-seeking Canillas-Gonzales Brokerage to walk away with an 11-point win, 80-69, and march into the semifinals of the (BOC) 1st Port of Cebu Sportsfest basketball tournament at the Benedicto College gymnasium.
The second seed Pimentel-D Force of team owner Marty Pimentel also advanced into the penultimate round following a 76-60 rout of Port Inspection Division (PID).
Ronnie Ruiz scored 13 of his topscoring 20 points in a furious blitz that powered the Hotmen to a 38-27 advantage at halftime after being down by three at the end of the first period, 15-18.
Ferdie Sigue, who drilled in four triples, and Bibit dela Cerna sparked a minor rally that pulled Canillas-Gonzales to within just two points, 45-47, with 2:55 left in the third canto, but the gritty Hotmen held on its ground.
Canillas-Gonzales again threatened at 51-53 on Sigue’s trey, but their comeback efforts went to waste as the Hotmen unleashed its offensive fury with savvy in the windup to come up with an 11-point romp.
Jessie Bugtai backed up Ruzi with 12 points, whille the defense-oriented Ronnie Clapano pitched in 11 markers.
Sigue paced Canillas with 15 points followed by Cecil Conga with 12.
The scores
First game
Mactan Hotmen (80) - Ruiz 20, Bugtai 14, Clapano 11, Jayme 8, Ambrad 4, Sesante 3, Maningo 3, Ararao 2, Mata 2, Ramos 1, Yu 1
Canillas-Gonzales (69) - Sigue 15, Concha 12, Castro 10, Villa 6, Arevalo 5, Dela Cerna 4, Delos Reyes 3, Padin 2, Belarmino 2, Campos 2, Labe 2, Gonzales 2 Halftime: 38-27
Second game
Pimentel (76) - Macasero 10, Mariano 9, Ibo 9, Borromeo 8, Pangue 8, Bensi 8, San Pablo 8, Arong 6, Allerte 6, De Gracia 4
PID (60) - Urbina 21, De Leon 11, Laraga 9, Reman 7, Flores 2, Gaquing 2, Datu 2, Horca 2, Repeula 2 Halftime: 33-23 (FREEMAN NEWS)