Banking on a suffocating zone defense, the Minglanilla Archangels slowed down the Consolacion Sarok Weavers in the third quarter to post a 77-70 win in Game 1 of the 2017 Cebu Governor’s Cup Inter-cities/Municipalities Basketball Tournament Best-of-Three Finals last Sunday night at the packed Minglanilla Sports Complex, southern Cebu.
The Archangels will try to become the league’s inaugural champions when they shoot for the crown on Sunday at the Sarok Weavers’ home court, the Consolacion National High School Gym.
If necessary, do-or-die Game 3 will be held in a neutral venue as the University of San Carlos Gym will play host to the deciding match on July 9.
Early in the game, Consolacion toyed with Minglanilla’s one-on-one defense, repeatedly finding open shots that allowed them to erect a 34-25 lead in the final minute of the second quarter.
Minglanilla then switched to a zone defense and the ploy worked wonders as Consolacion started firing blanks.
The Nebril brothers then went to work for the Archangels with Marc Glen firing 12 and Mark Justine producing 10 in a 24-6 attack that saw Minglanilla wresting the upper-hand, 55-51, entering the final period.
Minglanilla started the fourth with a 17-6 tear to extend its lead to 72-57 with 3:49 left.
Consolacion didn’t go down easily as Emmanuel Villamor unloaded 11 points in a 13-4 run to help his team move within 70-76, time down to 41.4 seconds.
That proved to be the Sarok Weavers’ last stand as they failed to score again the rest of the way.
Mark Justine led the way for Minglanilla with 20 points, while Marc Glen contributed 17.
Villamor exploded for a game-high 36 points to spearhead Consolacion.
THE SCORES
MINGLANILLA (77)- MJ Nebril 20, MG Nebril 17, Tarrosa 14, Quimson 11, Mangaron 9, Pepito 2, Eredera 2, Sellote.
CONSOLACION (70)- Villamor 36, Montaño 16, Escalona 6, Yu 6, Maglasang 2, Gonzaga 2, Panta 2. QUARTERSCORES: 13-16; 29-36; 55-51; 77-70.
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