Riverside, Crossing, Sapasapa start hot in Leking Cup Friendship Games

CEBU, Philippines - Riverside and Crossing pulled off contrasting wins in the inter-sitio friendship games of the Kapitan Leking Cup Basketball Tournament at the Poblacion Oriental open court in Consolacion, Cebu.

Baste Alivio pumped in 20 points, while Pongpong Seno and Emsyo Mendoza conspired for 25 points as Sitio Riverside blasted Villacon, 80-69, while Chanchan Gerundio exploded with 29 points to power Crossing to an 89-86 triumph over Eryangs.

Gerundio was heavily backed up by Jundy Gerundio and Chucky Sanchez with 16 and 14 markers, respectively. Brothers Louie and Lemuel Malagar conspired for 62 points in a losing effort for Eryangs, while Pippo Flores' 30-point output also went for naught for Villacon.

In the other game, Sitio Sapasapa rallied to a 57-49 victory over Semblante's Compound. Mark Yongco was the lone double-digit scorer for Sapasapa with 10 points, while Johnny Semblante nailed 11 markers for Semblante's Compound.

Aside from the inter-sitio goodwill games, the other categories featured in the month-long tilt that is among the highlights of Poblacion Oriental's annual fiesta on May 20 in honor of their beloved patron San Roque are the mini (15 years old and under), midget (20-under), and juniors (21-above).

A total of seven sitios are taking part in the event fully supported by the entire barangay council of Poblacion Oriental under the leadership of Brgy. Capt. Melquiades "Leking" Caylan. They will play in a double round robin elimination, with the top four advancing into the crossover semifinals. The winners will then clash for the championship.

The games are being supervised by sports chairman Paul Alelu Q. Flores, a former standout of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws during his UAAP days, and league commissioner Jerome S. Valle. They are assisted by Jocelyn Valle, Vic Lagahit, and Baby Jonhaniel Abinales. (FREEMAN)