| contributed photo
Cebu City, Philippines — Argao came away with the 2nd District championship after it dumped Samboan, 91-69 in the district finals of the 2019 Governor’s Cup basketball tournament at the Sec. Cerge M. Remonde Sports and Cultural Center in Argao, southern Cebu, on Saturday, April 6, 2019.
Leandro Manloloyo led Argao with 23 points, 15 of which came in the second half when the team pulled away.
Jomari Parantar added 22 points of his own while Jimwell Torion, Jr., the son of the “Tora-Tora” himself, Jimwell Torion, added 12 markers for Argao, which bagged the P100,000 cash prize.
Argao actually trailed by four, 18-22, after the first canto but suddenly turned the switch on its game and outscored Samboan, 28-15, thanks to the 15 points combined of Parantar and Torion, in the second to take a 46-37 lead.
Argao continued its onslaught and uncorked a 22-11 scoring binge in the third to raise its lead to 20, 68-48, heading to the final canto.
John Rosal scored 15 points for Samboan, which in spite the loss, is still moving on to the quarterfinals stage.
Raphael Dinampo put up 11 while Eves Manolong chipped in 10.
Both Argao and Samboan have been placed in Bracket A in the quarterfinal round, which begins on April 10. /bmjo