Talisay pounds Sibonga, on verge of Gov's Cup South title

The Talisay City Aquastars threw a powerful endgame punch to knock down the Sibonga Pillars, 9370, and move one step away from clinching the South Division title of the 2nd Cebu Governor’s Cup Inter-Cities and Municipalities Under-21 Developmental Basketball Tournament on Wednesday night at the Talisay City Sports and Cultural Complex.

The Aquastars could practically wrap up the best-ofthree series but they must brace for one big war as Sibonga hosts Game 2 tonight at the Sibonga Sports Complex. Game 3, in necessary, is set for July 13 at the Cebu Coliseum.

Behind the efforts Jay Deiparine, Ronan Briones and Kendrick Abarquez, Talisay coasted to a 20-16 edge after the first 10 minutes of play.

Sibonga, however, fired back with aplomb, with Ehman Ronen Suarez dropping 10 of his 12 points in the second quarter and James Nobleza added six in that stretch as the visitors seized the driver's seat at halftime, 44-37.

Sibonga even padded its lead to 51-41, but Talisay woke up from deep offensive slumber, launching a 10-0 blitz to know the count at 51-all with 3:10 left in the third period.

Still, the Pillars held on to a 60-56 advantage but Deiparine

opened the final frame with a crisp 3-pointer, sparking a devastating 15-0 attack that put Talisay on top for good, 7160.

The Aquastars handcuffed Sibonga to a measly 10 points in the final canto while torching 37 to come up with a 23point blowout.

Deiparine unloaded 15 of his 28 points in a wild fourthquarter rally, Briones scored 15, Elmer Echavez contributed 14, while Abarquez and Raffy Bacasmas connived for 21 points as Talisay, the only undefeated team in the tournament, stretched its perfect record to 11-0.

John Bryl Cuyos paced Sibonga with 18 points. Nobleza made 14, Suarez chipped in 12 markers, while John Klarenz Sonsona and Frederick Rosales had 11 and 10 points, respectively, in a losing effort.—