Players from Minglanilla (light blue) and Naga (royal blue) battle for a rebound in their Rhea Gullas Cup semifinals game. | Photo from Rhea Gullas Cup
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Abante Minglanilla and Talisay Aksyon Agad had contrasting outcomes in their respective semifinal matches of the Rhea Gullas Cup 2024 on Saturday evening, March 2, at the Minglanilla Sports Complex.
Host team and former champions, Abante Minglanilla, outlasted Naga Atong Garbo, 62-59, while Talisay lost to Sidlak Carcar, 77-83.
Minglanilla and Talisay are the two heavily favored squads heading into the semifinals with twice-to-beat perks after wrapping up the elimination round with identical 4-1 (win-loss) records.
ALSO READ: Rhea Gullas Cup: Minglanilla, Talisay earn twice-to-beat perks in semifinals
Christian Andrew Amaba led Minglanilla by flirting with a double-double game of 11 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.
His teammates Zeke Uriah Gilbuena and JC Rex Sanguenza chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively. Gilbuena added five rebounds, three steals, and one block.
Sanguenza also had five boards, five assists, and five steals in their thrilling win that saw five lead changes and seven deadlocks.
Rex Marcian Albiso and John Carlo Bastismo had 17 and 16 points, respectively, in their losing efforts.
Albiso grabbed four rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Bastismo added eight rebounds, two assists, three steals, and two blocks.
ALSO READ: Rhea Gullas Cup: Carcar ends Minglanilla’s 3-game winning streak with a huge win
Carcar City’s players (in yellow jerseys) swarm Talisay’s player with their defense during their Rhea Gullas Cup semifinals game. | Photo from Rhea Gullas Cup
DO-OR-DIE GAME
On the other hand, Julius Tipon erupted for a triple-double game to keep Carcar’s finals hopes alive after beating Talisay, 83-77, in the other semifinal game on Saturday evening.
ALSO READ: Rhea Gullas Cup semifinals take centerstage Saturday
Their win forced Talisay to a do-or-die game at the latter’s home court at the Talisay City Sports Complex at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Tipon tallied 12 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and five steals in his incredible outing.
Three of his teammates, Jethro Sagolili, Patrick Simon Ulbenario, and Reniel Georpo, aided Tipon with their double-digit scores.
Sagolili finished with 18 points, four rebounds, two assists, and four steals. At the same time, Ulbenario tallied 17 markers, 12 boards, one assist, and one steal.
Lastly, Georpo chipped in 15 points, four rebounds, and two blocks.
In their semifinal game in the Rhea Gullas Cup, Carcar endured 11 lead changes and eight deadlocks in their hard-fought win against Talisay.
Kristian Henry Alejandrino topscored Talisay with 17 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Jhan Brixter Villarias and John Mark Lasola scored 15 and 12 points, respectively.