BIR cagers cruise past Red in USC PTCA hoopfest

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) dribblers hardly felt the absence of skipper Yoli Meso as they upended the more favored USC-Red, 84-80, to even their win-loss record to 2-2 in the USC-South Campus PTCA, Inc. basketball tournament at the school’s covered court.

The Reds went off to a hot start, but slowly lost their steam as the game progressed. BIR then made the most out of the opportunity as it launched a fiery 22-8 blast to tear the game apart at halftime, 41-31.

Gino Almencion hit back-to-back treys to put Red within striking distance, but the spirited BIR mainstays nailed crucial baskets towards the end to escape with a marginal four-point victory.

Jessie Lumantas and Jimwel Legarde paced BIR with the offense with 20 points apiece with Leo Galvez backing up with 18 markers.

Paca led the Red with 19 points and Almonte added 18.

The scores

BIR (84) - Lumantas 20, Legarde 20, Galvez 18, Limbaroc 6, Victor 5, California 4, del Rosarion 3, Alburo 3, Rodriguez 2, Dimaos 2, Dechosa 1

USC-Red (80) - Paca 19, Almonte 18, Camancho 10, Alesna 8, Almencion 8, Lazaga 5, Villanil 5, Kabajar 2, Vestil 2, Rocamora 2, Daan 2. - GGM (THE FREEMAN)