Bogo sets up title showdown vs. Lapu’ in Inter-City caging

The Bogo Bogoys completed a two-game sweep of the Talisay Aquastars via a 95-81 decision in Game 2 to advance into the finals of the 1st Inter-City Challenge Cup basketball tournament on Monday night at the Talisay Sports Complex.

Thus, the Bogoys set up a best-of-three title showdown with the Lapu-Lapu Chiefs of coach Larry Villanil starting this Friday.

The Aquastars actually scored the first six points of the match but they couldn’t understand what hit them after that because the Bogoys suddenly ripped the game apart using a 30-7 bomb.

There were great efforts in the part of the Aquastars to overhaul the huge lead, but they fell short in the end as the Bogoys’ shots clicked at any angles.

The best the Talisaynons could come at 42-51 behind the efforts of Raymond Tabar, Alejandro Cabañero and Alfie Cabañero as the Bogoys doused cold water on their comeback hopes by restoring a commanding 22-point advantage, 80-58, heading into the final quarter.

Compounding Talisay’s woes was the ejection of Mico Seguerra due to unsportsmanlike foul against Bogo’s Art Anthony Pelayo.

Jun Ace Ursal and Noel Balili spearheaded the Bogoys’ sizzling offensive with 25 and 21 points, respectively. Kim Valenzuela, cousin of PBA star Junthy Valenzuela, added 14 markers for Bogo.

As usual, the Aquastars were led by Alejandro Cabañero, 28 points. Tabar donated 15 points followed by Alfie Cabañero with 12 and Jordan Bardillas with 10.

The race-to-2 finals series will be played for three straight days from Friday to Sunday. Lapu-Lapu hosts the series opener, while Game 2 will be played in Bogo. The deciding game, if necessary, will be contested back in Lapu-Lapu.

The champion will take home P1.5 million worth of incentives.

The scores

Bogo (95) - Ursal 25, Balili 21, Valenzuela 14, Pedroza 8, Tudtud 7, Pelayo 6, Seno 6, Asingua 3, Casinillo 3, Labaco 2

Talisay (81) -  A. Cabañero 28, Tabar 15, Al Cabañero 12, Bardillas 10, Seguerra 9, Iglamo 7, Echavez 1

Halftime: 48-36 (GGM)