Talisay City back in Governor’s Cup Finals
Keaton Taburnal scores on a layup to help Talisay advance to the Governor’s Cup 2019 finals. Contributed photo | Chad Bacolod of the Provincial Information Office
Cebu City, Philippines—The Talisay City Aquastars kept their title defense alive with a 91-75 win over the Balamban Shipbuilders in the semifinals of the 2019 Governor’s Cup basketball tournament on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at the packed Talisay City Sports Complex.
Talisay City shrugged off a sluggish start that saw them trail by as much as 10 points, and kept within striking distance at halftime, before imposing its will in the second half to emerge with the victory and claim a seat in the best-of-three finals opposite the winner of the other semis clash between Mandaue City and Minglanilla.
Playing without top gun Jay Deiparine, who was serving a one-game suspension for committing a disqualifying foul in their last game, the Aquastars started off slow and trailed, 19-26, after the first after Balamban rained down four three-pointers on the host.
The players of Talisay City even came to their senses, thanks to the inspired play of Keaton Taburnal, who scored nine of his 19 points in the second to pull the Aquastars to within a point, 39-40, at halftime.
Talisay City kept its onslaught in the third, this time with Clark Ruedas, John Inigo and Genald Inigo sinking one basket after another to shove the Aquastars ahead, 67-61.
Talisay City’s depth then came to play as they quickly took advantage of Balamban’s lack of it. With the Shipbuilders lagging behind on defense, the Aquastars pounced and outscored Balamban, 24-14, with Cesafi high school Mythical Five forward Kendrick Abarquez scoring 10 of his 12 markers during that stretch to help them author the lopsided win.
Taburnal and Ruedas each had 19 points to lead Talisay City while Inigo put up 15. Villabrille also scored in double-figures with 10.
Rickyboy Timosa paced Balamban with 21 points while Joshua Gellacone chipped in 18.
Game 1 of the finals is on Friday, May 3, 2019. Game 2 is set on Monday, May 6, while Game 3, if necessary, will be on Wednesday, May 8. /bmjo
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