Iloilo Warriors firm up lead in NBC

ILOILO — The Iloilo Warriors blasted the Cagayan de Oro Stars, 85-67, Friday to fortify their Southern Division lead in the NBC (National Basketball Conference) national championship at the University of San Agustin gym here.

Carlos Sayon Jr. had another explosive performance, firing a season-high 30 points to help the Warriors repeat their 96-94 overtime victory over the Stars and register their third straight win in the tourney sponsored by Panasonic, Spring Cooking Oil, PCSO, Distileria Limtuaco, Sulpicio Lines, Air Philippines, Nature’s Spring Mineral Water, Supercat, Accel and Molten.

Backed by the Iloilo Basketball League led by businessman Robert Uy, the Warriors held the visiting Stars of Antonio Calingin to only five points in the first quarter.

The Stars, who sorely missed the services of MBA veteran Aldrich Reyes, who had left for London to join his wife, never got closer than 44-57 after that.

The Warriors seek their fourth straight win against the Ozamic Cotta of Mayor Reynaldo Parohinog at 4 p.m. today at the USA gym here.

The Warriors’ commanding 62-31 rebounding edge also keyed their victory, with Francis Sanz snaring 16 in addition to his 14 points, four assists and a steal.

Meanwhile, the Forward Taguig-Spring Cooking Oil/Laguna cliffhanger will be shown at 8 p.m. today on NBN 4.