Freeman-CDN routs ABS-CBN; GMA downs CCTN in NBAC caging

CEBU, Philippines - The combined forces of The Freeman and Cebu Daily News (CDN), known as the Red Shama, personified great teamwork in a lopsided 79-43 triumph over ABS-CBN yesterday at the start of the Newsmen Basketball Association of Cebu (NBAC) 2013 Season at the Chiang Kai Shek gymnasium of the Cebu Eastern College (CEC). 

In the season-opener, GMA-7 banked on a solid third -quarter showing and then sustained its momentum in the final half to walk away with a 61-52 win over CCTN-47.

Underscoring their offensive wealth, all 10 players scored for Freeman-CDN led by Manny Villaruel and Peter Romanillos with 41 points combined. The likes of Junjie Mendoza, Calvin Cordova, Lemuel Maglinte, Ador Mayol and Edwin Ian Melecio also made their presence felt on both ends of the court as they battered ABS-CBN at will from start to finish.

Tito Tan, Dale Rosal and Aldo Nelbert Banaynal also hit the scoring chart for Freeman-CDN, which was never threatened after jumping off to a hot 20-9 start. They went on to post a 19-point advantage at the break, 17-36.

After mellowing down in the third period, Romanillos and Villaruel put their acts together in closing the game with a 26-9 blitz to come up with a 36-point blowout.

Edgar Escalante topped ABS-CBN with 18 points followed by Roel Navarro with 11 markers.

Earlier, Godfrey Rellin banged in 20 points, while Greggy Magdadaro and multi-MVP awardee Jun Solon scattered 18 and 17 points, respectively, for GMA-7. They led by only four at halftime, 23-19, but shackled CCTN 47 in the remaining two quarters to scrape through a nine-point win.

Jovel Obiso topscored for CCTN 47 with 18 points, while Rodel Quimod added 18 points in a losing cause.

The scores

First game

GMA-7 (61) - Rellin 20, Magdadaro 18, Solon 17, Pantino 4, Suarez 2

CCNT 47 (52) - Obiso 18, Quimod 15, Ligan 6, Alcoriza 5, Sayago 4, Del Corro 2, Fuentes 2

Second game

Freeman-CDN (79) - Romanillos 21, Villaruel 20, Cordova 6, Maglinte 6, Mendoza 6, Mayol 6, Melecio 4, Banaynal 4, Tan 4, Rosal 2  (FREEMAN)