Aquastars drown Tribu Sugbu in Boljoon

The Talisay City Aquastars of the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) exploded in the final half to demolish Arthro Kontra Arthritis and Skygo-backed Tribu Sugbu of the National Basketball Conference (NBC), 109-91, in an exhibition match last Saturday night at the jampacked Boljoon Sports Complex.

Bruce Dacia and Leo Bat-og, who combined for 44 points, spearheaded Talisay's fiery uprising in the last two quarters where they outscored Tribu Sugbu, 62-45, for the 18-point rout.

After closing the third period with an 80-71 lead, the Aquastars of head coach and MLSDF executive director Eddie Ybañez never looked back and even managed to mount a 20-point advantage, 103-83, in the final 2:46 mark of the contest.

Tribu Sugbu, which was without coach Al Solis who was down with a flu, had its brightest moment when it led 44-40 late in the second period as the Aquastars grabbed the driver's seat at halftime, 48-46, for good.

High-leaping forward Morsie Akad backed up Dacia and Bat-og with 13 points, even as three others cashed in double figures for Talisay's balanced attack. 6-foot-7 center Rino Berame and Jheysar Esperat each had 11 points followed by Jessie Lumantas with 10.

Ronaldo "Magic" Bucao, the smallest man on the floor, topped Tribu Sugbu with 25 points. Doroteo Almacin and Nyok de Guzman chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively.

To assure Boljoon the best entertainment that night, both teams agreed to play a 12-minute per quarter instead of the usual 10-minute per period rule.

The goodwill match, which was among the highlights of Boljoon's annual fiesta celebration on November 10-11, was sponsored by Boljoon Mayor Deogenes "Wargong" Derama. (GGM)