Tribu Sugbu crushes Braves

The Skygo/Sirlitz-backed Tribu Sugbu continued to pace the Day Charter Open Invitational Basketball Tournament as they ripped apart the North Cotabato Braves, 105-63, before a big crowd at the Valencia City gym in Bukidnon.

Kim Calo paced the inaugural NBC champion with 19 points, but it was last season's Most Improved Player Doroteo Almacin Jr., who finished off the Braves with another scintillating performance.

After scoring a tournament-high 32 points in their opening day win over the Aqua World-backed Pagadian Explorers, Almacin made nine of his total 13 points in the payoff period to lead a 32-12 breakaway that vaulted Tribu Sugbu to a 2-0 record in the NBC-Nature's Spring pre-season tournament.

"We're in high spirits, but the tournament is far from over," said Tribu Sugbu coach Al Solis, who also guided the team to the first pre-season title in Antipolo last month.

The Braves of North Cotabato Gov. Manny Piñol remained the only winless team in this five-day hoopfest also supported by Sulpicio Lines, Molten, Spring Cooking Oil and Prime Channel.

North Cotabato absorbed its second straight lopsided loss including a 71-52 loss to Valencia in the opening day.

In the second game, expansion team Pagadian used an 18-0 run in the final period to score a come-from-behind 74-63 win over host team Valencia Golden Harvest.

It was the first win of coach Michael Orquillas, who played for Ginebra and Sta. Lucia in the pro league.

Pagadian lost to the Tribu Sugbu of Lito Gillamac and Mario King, 77-63, in the opening day.

Mayor Jose Galario Jr.'s Golden Harvest were leading, 53-49, at the start of fourth quarter, but went scoreless in a six-minute stretch as ex-pro Peter Naron scored nine of his game-high 20 points to lead the Explorers of Mayor Sammy Co.

The Braves and the Explorers are locked in a fight while Tribu Sugbu and Valencia are also playing as off presstime.

First game

Tribu Sugbu (105) - Calo 19, Almacin 13, Ursal 12, Yabut 10, Sevilla 9, Butel 8, Nicdao 7, Cainglet 6, Luga 5, Bucao 2

North Cotabato (63) - Ramos 20, Coronado 17, Sansaet 4, Dagatan 4, Jawod 4, Cabañog 4, Ligue 3, Gudet 2, Clar 2, Reyes 2, Martinez 1

Quarterscores: 22-20, 44-31, 73-51, 105-63

Second game

Pagadian (74) - Naron 20, Daja 13, Isidro 9, Culdora 7, Marata 7, Saludsod 6, Quilo 3, Cortez 3, Singidas 2, Dayota 2, Omandam 2

Valencia (63) - Berami 13, Cruz 11, Ayson 9, Braga 8, Taligatos 5, Navales 5, Clavel 4, Adams 3, Cabili 3, Romaguera 2

Quarterscores: 15-13, 31-36, 49-53, 74-63 (NBC Media Bureau with GGM)