Infantado powers CIIS

CEBU, Philippines - Canada-bound ex-USC Warrior Danilo Infantado amassed 24 points and led three other players in double figures that lifted the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), headed by Atty. Rico Rey Francis "Koko" Holganza, to an 88-69 rout of the highly-touted MJDL Brokers.

The win allowed CIIS to grab the last quarterfinals slot in the ongoing Bureau of Customs (BOC) 1st Port of Cebu Sportsfest basketball tournament played last Wednesday at the Benedicto College gym in Banilad, Mandaue City.   

Earlier, the Sugbo Brokers also made it into the quarterfinals by scoring a 90-69 demolition of the hapless Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) X-Ray in a non-bearing game.             

 Infantado, a former USC Warrior and a commercial league veteran, is scheduled to leave for Canada on Monday to work there and rejoin his Canadian wife who is working in the City of Saskatchewan.

The CIIS composed of coaching staff Dione Edera, Ricky Guibao and Noel Torrecampo will be missing all the points and the services of the irreplaceable Infantado. 

Infantado was backed-up by Elmer Miscala who had 19 points, the elusive Chris Manulat with 16 points and the scrappy George Giducos who chipped in 12 points.

What made them stronger and a legitimate title threat is the presence of defensive guard and ex-SIT Skyblazer Henry Batatas, the unstoppable center Gelran Gelbolingo and veteran Amay Palad.               

The CIIS dribblers led all the way and were mostly up by double digits but were threatened twice when they were accounted for two silly and useless technical fouls – one for having six men in the court and another one for entering the court without permission from the table officials.

High-leaper Jaymar Elloren, who is an MJDL mainstay, and ex-USJR Baby Jaguar Baeng Medalle topscored for the eliminated team with 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Earlier, the Sugbo Brokers used their quickness with four players scoring in double figures to offset the impressive performance of ESS' topgunner, Customs policeman Jinjing Rama, younger brother of Vice Mayor Mike Rama.

Rama hit back-to-back triples aside from making assists, but his 12 points and even the 15 points of Jan Mose were not enough for them to make a graceful exit in the tournament bowing out with a 0-4 win-loss record.   

The scores:

CIIS (88) – Infantado 24, Miscala 19, Manulat 16, Giducos 12, Batatas 8, Bonje 8, Gelbolingo 5.

MJDL (69) – Elloren 14, Medalle 13, Badon 8, Villacastin 4, Jel 4, Chio 4 Halftime: 38-29  (FREEMAN NEWS)