Khalifa, Metro Cars barge into win column

CEBU, Philippines — Team Khalifa of Tacloban City and the Metro Cars x Stampede pulled off bounceback wins in the 1st Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia Cup Invitational Basketball Tournament last Sunday evening, January 26, at the Cebu City Sports Institute (CCSI) Gym in Barangay Sawang Calero.

Jaybie Mantilla produced an all-around performance with 19 points, five rebounds, eight assists, three steals and a block to lead Khalifa to a pulsating 102-98 overtime victory over Fiesta Gas of San Carlos City.

Four other Khalifa players cracked double figures.

SJ Moore scored 16 with six boards and an assist, Jancork Cabahug added 15 points and three rebounds, while Elmer Echavez and Joel Lee Yu had 21 points between them for Khalifa, which courageously fought back from a 72-79 deficit late in the fourth quarter to stun Fiesta Gas in the five-minute extension.

In other game, Darrel Villarosa fired 20 points on top of three rebounds, two assists and two steals to power Metro Cars to an 80-73 whacking of Lymar Ballers.

Jun Daanoy made his presence felt with 13 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Raymart Escobido and Jayson Balabag combined for 21 points for Metro Cars, which finds itself in a three-way tie with Khalifa and RKF Iloilo with identical 1-1 records. — (FREEMAN)