The Danao City basketball team. | contributed photo
Cebu City Philippines — The defending champions Danao City handed Carmen its first loss, 81-69, in the 9th Congressman Red Durano Cup basketball tournament on Friday, April 12, 2019, at the Danao Civic Center.
The two teams battled tooth-and-nail all game long as Carmen refused to back down and led, 30-29, at halftime after trailing, 12-20, in the first.
Danao City nudged ahead, 53-50, at the end of the third before unleashing a 28-19 endgame kick to nab the win and improve to 5-1 (win-loss) while dropping Carmen to 6-1.
Kent Montero scored 23 points to lead the way for Danao City even as John Castaneda punched in 13 markers.
John Banzon led Carmen with 14 points while Stephen Bejoc added 12.
In the first game, Liloan destroyed Catmon, 81-64, to push their record to 5-2.
Catmon, on the other hand, continued its downward spiral as it fell to 1-5. /bmjo