KCS wins duel of unbeatens vs ARQ to clinch semis spot
The Kiboy’s Computer Solutions (KCS) smothered the ARQ BuildersKSB Glass, 88-80, in a battle of undefeated teams in the Mayor Edgardo C. Labella 1st Charter Cup Basketball Tournament at the Cebu City Sports Institute gym.
Joshua de la Cerna and Ted Saga each scored 14 even as they also combined for 13 rebounds, seven steals and three assists for KCS, which assured itself of semifinal berth with an immaculate 4-0 record.
Arman Lao added 13 points and four rebounds while Melvin Butohan and Harold Cincoflores tossed in 12 markers apiece for KCS which shrugged off a sluggish start to pull the rug from under ARQ.
KCS trailed by nine after the first period, 26-17, but slowly crept its way back to close within four points at halftime, 40-44. KCS then used a scorching 26-17 run in the third stanza to seize the driver’s seat, 66-61, going into the last 10 minutes of play.
KCS sustained its momentum on the way to establish as much as 13 points lead, 88-75, in the closing seconds of the contest.
Jojo Tangkay dropped 20 points, four rebounds, and three assists while John Abad finished with 14 points, four rebounds and as many assists but to no avail as ARQ dropped to 3-1 in a tie with Fighter 50 Wine, which claimed its third victory in four starts at the expense of ASPA, 88-85.
Cebu City Councilor Dondon Hontiveros paced
Fighter 50 with 28 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists. He was backed up by Danny Aying with 16 points and Jaybie Mantilla and Besik Saalana with 12 markers apiece.
In the other result, Steve Castro fired 22 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, Reynaldo Saycon and Nat Cruz connived for 27 points, while Daniel Vallena scored 11 as the Athalia 1on1 downed LM Paragsa, 91-82, to snap out of its three-game losing streak. —