Lucky 7 sweep for hot Pañeros in IBP caging

CEBU, Philippines — The rampaging Pañeros battered the Dissenters Bad Boys, 97-73, to complete a seven-game elimination round sweep in the 2019 Intergrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Cebu Basketball League First Conference at the Capitol Parish gym along Escario Street, Cebu City.

Barrytone Busi sparkled with 27 points to lead six Pañeros in double figures underscoring their balanced attack.

Gilbert Arrabis tossed in 15 markers, Franklin Manching and Niño Rey Retuya scored 13 each, while Nilo Balorio and William Mañus connived for 22 points for the Pañeros, who kept the Bad Boys at bay since sprinting to a comfortable 51-29 lead at halftime, which they even stretched to an eye-popping 35 points, 77-42, after three quarters.

Lito Ortiz had 19 points for the Bad Boys, who ranked No.5 going into the playoffs with a 3-4 win-loss record.

In the other games, the defending champion Gilas Defenders outlasted the Spartans, 99-87, to emerge as the second seed with a 6-1 slate, while the 1Cebu Lex Idols wiped out the Aniceta Red Vipers, 106-61, to end their campaign in the classification stage at No.4 spot with a 4-3 card.

Van Ligutan exploded for 38 points while Christopher Ang banged in 27 points as the Gilas Defenders used a sizzling 51-35 rally in the middle quarters to down the Spartans,  who stayed at no.3 despite the loss with a 5-2 mark.

On the other hand, Edwin Estorgio unloaded 30 points while Reman Manubag and Fermin Pepito tallied 31 points in between them for the Lex Idols, who pounded the Red Vipers quarter after quarter to come up with a 45-point blowout. - EBV