The Arthro Kontra Arthritis snapped its two-game losing streak with a bang at the expense of the Goldstar Hardware-backed Duterte Agilas, 104-91, in the 2007 Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Second Conference action on Friday night at the Cebu Coliseum.
Game Monday
(Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex)
5:30 pm
Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue vs. Arthro Kontra Arthritis-Cebu
Jojo Omandam scored six of his nine points in the opening period as Arthro of sports patron Jonathan “Atan” Guardo and Coach Al Solis raced to a 25-18 lead. The rest of the Arthro gunners took over from there as Doroteo Almacin and Jeffrey France combined for 14 markers to push Arthro further on top by halftime, 52-40.
The Agilas under Coach Rhoel Josol gamely inched their way back in the contest. Guard JR Atablanco exploded for 11 points in the final canto and Wynsjohn Te added two triples to fuel the Agilas’ late surge.
However, four timely field goals by Mark Ababon helped preserve the win for Arthro, which led by as much as 23 points, 102-79, on Omandam’s basket with only 1:11 left in the contest.
Arthro of team manager Eugenio “Jun” Gabuya, Jr. improved its win-loss card to 2-3, while the Agilas remained winless in six starts in the tournament sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) and made possible by ML Kwarta Padala, Nature’s Spring Water, Cokaliong Shipping, Sulpicio Lines, Reva Sandals, Accel, Gameface.Ph and Nike Basketball.
In a very balanced attack, all 11 players fielded in by Coach Solis submitted at least seven markers led by Almacin with 14. Ababon, Ronald Bucao and Bernie Ursal followed with 11 each.
Arthro faces another test on Monday when it visits league leader Cebu Landmaster-Mandaue (6-1). Arthro has the distinction of inflicting Landmaster’s lone defeat in the tournament, 81-93, last September 24 at the Cebu Coliseum.
The scores
Arthro-Cebu (104) 0 Almacin 14, Bucao 11, Ursal 11, Ababon 11, Cainglet 10, Omandam 9, Gadiane 8, Gabas 8, Garcia 8, France 7, Mercado 7
Duterte Agilas (91) - Atablanco 15, Berami 14, Ilanga 13, Sagad 10, Delica 9, Te 8, Delfin 8, Gonzaga 7, Tamayo 4, Cabili 3
Quarterscores:25-18, 52-40, 78-65, 104-91—EBV