Cousins Alfie and Alejandro Cabañero and Rico Tabar powered Talisay City Aquastars to a 78-76 crucial victory over visiting Cebu City Niños to move into the semifinals round of the 1st Cebu Inter-City Challenge Cup.
Alfie Cabañero had 22 points; Alejandro had 12 points while Tabar had 17 points in last Wednesday’s game at the Talisay gym. The win enabled Talisay to improve to 4-3 card and passage into the next round.
The loss puts the Niños, with a 2-6 card, behind Toledo and Danao (both with a 3-5 card) among teams seeking the last semifinals slot.
Cebu is in a must-win situation against Bogo, but also must pray that Danao loses its last game, to stay in contention.
Butong Villanueva, Allen Abayata and Albert Potencioso led the Niños losing cause. Villanueva topscored with 23 points, Abayata added 17 and Potencioso chipped in with 14 points.
The scores:
Talisay (78) —Cabañero 22, Tabar 17, A. Cabañero 12, Iglamo 9, Villaver 5, Echavez 4, Caparas 4, Bardillas 3, Seguerra 2
Cebu City (76) —Villanueva 23, Abayata 17, Potencioso 14, Cabo 5, Tabolong 4, Gabuya 4, L. Maraño 4, Abellanosa 3, R. Maraño 2 Halftime: 39-44 (GGM)