AC Troopers bag Balamban Fiesta Cup 2023 title

AC Troopers/Eversure Catmon team officials and players and tournament officials pose for a group photo during the awarding ceremonies. | Contributed photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — AC Troopers/Eversure Catmon completed its dominating campaign in the Balamban Fiesta Cup 2023 Inter-Commercial Basketball Tournament by winning the overall title on Wednesday evening, September 21, 2023.

AC Troopers routed Good Shepherd Toledo City, 108-81, in their lopsided championship showdown held at the Exasperanza Binghay Memorial Sports Complex in Balamban town in midwestern Cebu.

ALSO READ: Balamban Fiesta Cup: Good Shepherd-Toledo City battles AC Troopers/Eversure Catmon for the crown

The victory earned AC Troopers the P150,000 champion’s purse, while Toledo didn’t go home empty handed as they also received P75,000. 

John Abad and Jonel Bonganciso led AC Troopers by scoring 21 and 19 points, respectively.

Abad added eight assists and five rebounds, while Bonganciso had seven boards and two block shots. Patrick Cabahug, Eman Calo and Charles Pepito each scored 11 points, while Reed Juntilla added 10 for the champion team. 

ALSO READ: Toledo, Tuburan basketball teams dump foes in Balamban Fiesta Cup

Meanwhile, RJ Dinolan paced Toledo City with his double-double game of 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Ryan Alicaway had 18 points. Ehman Suarez added 12 points in their losing efforts.

Despite their lopsided win, Good Shepherd Toledo City tried to put some fight in the first half of the championship match which resulted to seven lead changes and seven deadlocks.

Still, AC Troopers’ emerged victorious after banking on their fastbreak points and points from turnovers. They had 25 fastbreak points and 26 points from turnovers.

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Meanwhile, EGS Talisay City bagged the third place honors by defeating Tuburan 360 Coffee, 90-84, behind James Ferraren’s 19-point game. 

Joseph Cabahug, Tristan Albina, and Brian Heruela chipped in 16, 15, and 10 points, respectively for EGS Talisay City.

Pacsoy Oropiano had 20 points for Tuburan 360 Coffee.