Petron Goldberry now 8-0 in SHAABAA

CEBU, Philippines - There's no stopping Petron Goldberry from piling up wins, so far.

Drawing 14 points each from Leigh Dixon and Ed Macasling, Petron Goldberry pinned down Bayfront Hotel Cebu anew, 55-47, for a rousing 8-0 start in the 20th Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) Cup last Wednesday at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu old campus gym along General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City.

Job Shan added 10 points for Petron Goldberry, which rattled Bayfront Hotel after racing to a 26-10 lead at halftime. Bayfront Hotel never recovered from there despite a great fourth-quarter effort on the way to absorb its fifth loss in eight games. Elddie Cabahug was the lone double-digit scorer with 22 points for Bayfront.

In the other Division A games, the RDAK Stallions eked out a 52-46 decision over the Cebu Landmasters, while Gaisano Capital subdued Chick@Phil Basic, 73-62.

Jair Igna cashed in 16 points for the Stallions, who also used a strong start to upend the Cebu Landmasters. RDAK took a 37-26 advantage at halftime and protected it in the remainder of the match to improve its win-loss card to 6-2.

Daryl Tan had 17 points but to no avail as the Cebu Landmasters dropped to 4-4.

On the other hand, Carlitos Romero and Jazper Diaz scored a dozen points apiece, while Edmund Gaisano and Patrick Jacobe nailed 11 and 10 markers, respectively, as Gaisano Capital sailed smoothly to victory after taking an early 17-8 lead, which turned into 14 points at the break, 38-24.

Gaisano Capital now holds a 4-3 slate, while Chick@Phil, led by Dan Tecson with 24 points and Brennon Gothong with 16 points, suffered its seventh defeat against only one win.

In Division B, the RDAK Transporters outlasted Filmon Finishing Studio, 55-44, Dynamic Power annihilated White Gold Club, 49-31, and Caltex Delo blasted AutoLab, 48-37.

Barlowe Rogado had 14 points for the Transporters, who were in full control of the match from the start to tighten their hold of the solo lead with an 8-1 win-loss record. Aldie Cañizares had 17 points in a losing cause for Filmon, which crashed to 1-7.

Rodrick Mangubat had 21 points as Dynamic Power improved to 6-2, while dealing White Gold its sixth loss in eight games.  Caltex Delo, on its part, rode on its balanced offensive to upend AutoLab and even its record to 4-4. Sergs Go Bui scored 11 for AutoLab, which fell to 4-5. (FREEMAN)