THE Cebu Daily News (CDN) Siloys clawed back from an early double-digit deficit to escape past Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN)-47, 65-63, at the start of the 2015 Newsmen Basketball Association of Cebu (NBAC) yesterday at the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Gym.
GMA -7 Kapuso likewise chalked up a close win as it edged out TV-5 in the opening game, 77-74.
The Siloys got solid plays from its newcomers led by Johnny Tabuco, who led the team with a game-high 24 points.
Two other debuting players Neil Tecson and Rolando Barredo gave the Siloys the needed muscle in the paint and contributed five and four points, respectively.
Also giving CDN a huge lift was the returning Leo Alberio, who contributed 14 points and sank two free throws with four seconds left that gave the Siloys the two-point win.
Calvin Cordova cashed in 14 points, while fellow mainstays Lito Tecson and Ador Vincent Mayol each had two points.
Yesterday’s opening ceremony was graced by shipping magnate and CEC alumna Chester Cokaliong, Jefferson Go of the CEC executive board and Apas barangay captain Ramil Ayuman.
BOX SCORES
FIRST GAME
GMA-7 (77)- Vidal 21, Bonjoc 14, Solon 9, Capisanon 8, Hortelano 5, Aninon 5, Mongaya 4, Suarez 4, Rellin 2.
TV5 (73)- Taborada 26, Catolico 20, Sanico 11, Balbuena 6, Libona 5, Quimod 4, Castro 2.
SECOND GAME
CDN (65)- Tabuco 24, Alberio 14, Cordova 14, N. Tecson 5, Barredo 4, L. Tecson 2, Mayol 2, Ochoa 0.
CCTN 47 (63)- Igos 16, Candia 9, Ligan 9, Patricio 8, Caratan 8,, Espano 6, Quimod 5, Del Corro 2./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA