DH25-RUS team pose for a group photo after beating Benedicto College in the first day of the Chooks-to-Go Sinulog Cup 2023 Basketball Tournament. CDN Digital photo | Dale Rosal
CEBU CITY, Philippines—The DH25-Rock Uniform Solutions (RUS) had a rousing start in the Sinulog Cup 2023 Basketball Tournament as it defeated the Benedicto College, 91-84, on Wednesday evening, January 18, 2023, at the Cebu City Sports Institute in Barangay Sawang Calero.
Big man Jonel Bonganciso led DH25-RUS with his double-double outing of 23 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks.
Melvin Butohan and Vincent Menguito added 13 each for DH25-RUS of Cebu City councilor and the tournament organizer Dondon Hontiveros.
Hontiveros, didn’t disappointed the basketball fans who watched the game as he chipped in 12 points along with three boards, three dimes, and two steals.
Former Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball MVP, Shaq Imperial had 11 points to complete five players from the DH25-RUS who scored double digits.
Meanwhile, Kenneth Babalcon had 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, and five steals for the losing squad.
After eight lead changes in the first half, DH25-RUS eventually pulled away and led by as many as 20 points in the third period, 64-44.
Benedicto College put up a late run in the final period, cutting the lead to just two, 80-82, with two minutes remaining.
Fortunately, Imperial completed a rare four-point play to stretch the lead to six, 86-82, and pave the way for the win.
K&L 76, UC 75
Meanwhile, the K&L Marketing of the City of Naga narrowly edged the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball first runners-up University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 76-75, in the other game.
The tightly-fought showdown saw 12 lead changes and 10 deadlocks.
Patrick Cabahug led K&L with 20 markers, while bigman Willy McAloney added 14.
Jasper Pacana scored 15, while Paul Galinato chipped in 10 in a losing effort for UC.
UNBL 80, USP-F 60
In the last game, UNBL Stars-Bacolod City routed the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, 80-60.
Ceb Albaza dropped 16 points to lead UNBL, while Dave Paulo led USPF with 15 points.
The games in the Sinulog Cup will continue today starting at 3 p.m. at the Cebu Coliseum.
/bmjo
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