Balamban Mayor Ace Binghay (holding the ball) and Balamban Fiesta Cup Inter-Commercial Basketball Tournament organizer Jun Migallen pose for a photo for the ceremonial toss on Saturday evening’s opening game. | Contributed photo
DAPITAN CITY, Philippines — Tuburan Coffee and AC Troopers started off their respective campaigns in the Balamban Fiesta Cup Inter-Commercial Basketball Tournament with convincing wins on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at the E.S. Binghay Sports Complex in Balamban town in midwestern Cebu.
The Fredo Diamante-coached Tuburan Coffee outlasted the EGS Talisay, 90-86, while AC Troopers/Eversure Catmon clobbered K&L Marketing-Naga City, 102-85.
Mike Parilla and Loufred Diamante each tallied 19 points for Tuburan’s victory. Parilla also grabbed seven rebounds, one assists, and three steals, while Diamante had six boards, two assists, and one steal.
Jiesel Tarrosa, the reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball finals “Most Valuable Player” chipped in 14 points with eight rebounds, two assists, one block.
Also logging a double-digit score was Alfred Belande with 10 points.
EGS of head coach Edsel Vallena had Justine Dacalos scoring 16 markers in their losing efforts. Jestoni Baclaan scored 13 points, Monic Soliva with 11, and Richmond Bersabal scored 10 points.
Tuburan survived a seesaw hardcourt battle after enduring 15 lead changes and seven deadlocks. Tuburan sealed the first half with a 12-point lead, 35-23, but EGS had a strong second half after grabbing a seven-point cushion, 76-69.
However, EGS’ constant turnovers which totalled to 25 cost them the game. Tuburan converted 28 points from EGS’ turnovers which made a huge difference in the game’s outcome.
Meanwhile, former Pilipinas Super League (PSL) MVP Emman Calo unloaded 39 points to lead AC Troopers to their lopsided win over K&L Marketing.
Calo had 17 of 24 field goals, 15 of these came from the three point area.
Helping Calo on the offense was Jonel Bonganciso, who tallied 16 markers and was a rebound shy away from a double-double game after grabbing nine boards.
Also, Patrick Cabahug chipped in 12 points and was one rebound away from a double-double game after grabbing nine boards along with five assists.
Four of K&L’s players had double digit scores headed by Fletcher Galvez who had a double-double game of 23 points and 16 boards.
Joseph Nalos had 16 points, Albert Codilla with 12, and Ian Ortega with 10 points, but wasn’t enough to lift K&L on the winning side.
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