Niños win twice in a row keeps semifinals hope alive

The Cebu City Niños beat Danao Pistols 96-80 to keep their semifinals hope alive in the 1st Cebu Inter-City Cup Basketball Challenge at Bgy. Poblacion Pardo gym Saturday night

Last Friday, the Niños dealt Toledo City a 97-91 drubbing in Toledo City to record two consecutive wins over the weekend and surge into contention in the tournament. They hope two sweep their last two games against Talisay and Bogo to barge into the semifinals round.

The Niños led all the way during the game. The closest the Pistol’s could come was 85-76 on a basket by former CIT Wildcat Tito Bantulan with over a minute left.

Butong Villanueva paced the Niños with 26 points while Allen Abayata added 20 points. UC high school MVP Reynan Capoy and Batulan led Danao with 19 and 17 points, respectively.

The scores:

Cebu City (96) - Villanueva 26, Abayata 20, Abellanosa 13, Tabolong 12, Cabo 6, Tallado 6, Labajo 6, R. Maraño 6, L. Maraño 1

Danao City (80) - Capoy 19, Batulan 17, Capoy 12, Belecario 10, Toledo 9, Paradiang 8, Almaden 3, Dumangcas 2 (GGM)