Talisay shocks defending champs in Governor’s Cup cage wars

ROUGHLY a week after they figured in a controversial game against the city of Naga, the defending champions Minglanilla Archangels seemed to not have recovered after they were humiliated by Talisay City AquaStars, 96-67, at the San Fernando Sports Complex in the south division bracket of the ongoing Cebu Governor’s Cup Inter-Cities/Municipalities Basketball tournament last Friday.

University of the Visayas ace guard Steve Nash Enriquez had a lackluster performance, only scoring 15 points compared to his game versus Naga wherein he scored 30 markers while Marc Justin Nebril only had 11 with Jhaylord Castro adding 10.

Talisay City showed its might in both offense and defense in this marquee match-up between these two basketball powerhouses in the south.

Talisay City started off sizzling hot, ending the first period at 28-9. It further widened the gap by adding 30 points to end the first half at 58-24, containing Minglanilla to only 15 points.

Jay Deiparine introduced himself into mainstream basketball by scoring 25 points to lead Talisay AquaStars to their second straight victory. His teammates Raffy and Kendrick Bacasmas each scored 18 and 15 markers, respectively.

In the other south division bracket one game, San Fernando Spartans opened their campaign with a 90-74 win over Carcar City, with Ronald Geraldino leading the team with 22 points. Jude Vincent Langbid scored 25 points for Carcar City to no avail.

In the south division bracket 2, Sibonga beat Dalaguete, 76-57, while Boljoon tamed Argao, 55-47.

Over in the north, Bogo City suffered its second consecutive defeat at the hands of Tuburan, 73-74, via a thrilling overtime at the Tabuelan Municipal Gym. Tuburan is now leading the north division bracket 3 with two wins and no loss.

It was a painful defeat for Bogo after it commanded the ballgame earlier by maintaining a very slim lead but Tuburan’s Joycelee Oropiano and Mike Parilla combined for 20 points to tie the game at 67-all, forcing an overtime.

Oropiano scored five of his 28 points in the overtime while Parilla and Michael Vincent Sendrome each scored 18 and 17 markers. Neljoe Aballe topscored for Bogo with 16 points.

In other games, Balamban manhandled Tabogon, 127-82, with Jacob Fernandez exploding for 24 points, 14 of it he scored in the opening period. Neil Poyales towed Tabogon with 20 points.

Tabuelan, on the other hand, handed Asturias its second defeat, 94-64.

In the north division bracket 4 games held at the Santa Fe gym on Bantayan Island, the host team bowed to Madridejos, 115-106, while Bantayan Island beat Daanbantayan,113-93.