Dumanjug grabs Cabaron Cup basketball crown

CEBU, Philippines — Dumanjug turned to brothers Joseph Arth and Joseph Airo Nalos Jr. to trounce Dalaguete, 78-64, and emerge as champion of the Mayor Inocentes Cabaron Invitational Inter-Town Basketball Tournament 2024 at the Moalboal Plaza last Sunday, May 12.

Joseph Arth sizzled with 23 points, while Joseph Airo nailed 14 markers for Dumanjug, which did not only clinch title but also went home P200,000 richer.

Dumanjug trailed by two, 16-18, after the first period but Joseph Airo dropped 12 points in the second quarter, where they pummeled Dalaguete, 27-11, to seize full control of the match with a 43-29 advantage at halftime.

“It was a very good game. Dalaguete is also a good team and they played very well bu our players did their job,” said Christopher Eugenio Co, a member of the Dumanjug coaching staff.

“We’re very thankful to Mayor Inocentes Cabaron for inviting us to the tournament. It was a good exposure for our players and it also promoted camaraderie among the teams,” Co added.

After going scoreless in the first half, Joseph Arth exploded for 23 in the final two quarters. He scored all but two of Dumanjug’s 18 points in the third canto to repulse Dalaguete’s comeback attempt.

Mark Delgado made a last ditch effort to save Dalaguete but Dumanjug had an answer for every push to grab the crown.

Sommy Managor was the lone double-digit scored with 14 points for Dalaguete, which still has something to be happy about after pocketing P150,000 for its first runner-up finish.

In the battle for third place, Shooster Olago fired 29 points as Barili crushed Aloguinsan, 91-76, to claim P100,000. — (FREEMAN)