CEBU, Philippines - Giovanni Tabay fired 21 points and Arvie Cabañero added 20 as Talisay City trounced Minglanilla, 82-71, to win the championship of the 10th Gullas Cup Inter-Town Basketball Tournament in the First District of Cebu last Saturday night at the Talisay Sports Complex.
The Talisay cagers actually had a tentative start resulting into an early 20-21 deficit, but they bounced back in the middle quarters to turn the tables on Minglanilla.
After outscoring Minglanilla in the second period, 22-12, Talisay went on anothert scoring rampage in the third canto, 20-12, to rip the game apart, 62-45, heading into the final 10-minute mark of the contest.
Talisay neutralized Minglanilla's offense in the windup to preserve the double-digit win. Christopher Obeso chipped in 16 markers for Talisay, while Joshua Romelle de la Cerna added 14.
Tabay's all-around performance earned him the MVP award. He was joined into the Mythical Five by his teammates Obeso and De la Cerna, and Earvin Dennis Ferraren and Rex Bono of Minglanilla. Ferraren topped Minglanilla with a game-high 24 points, but Bono was held off to a measly seven points.
In the battle for third place, Reclear Navarro exploded with 29 points as Carcar City prevailed over San Fernando, 100-95.
Three other players chased in twin digits for Carcar, which used a sizzling third-quarter rally to frustrate San Fernando.
Sergio Gabinete, Jr. finished with 14 points, while Jean Jerianth Philip Abatayo and Edmar Andrew Camingao scored 10 apiece for Carcar. Eddie Mier Tangayan paced San Fernando with 18 points. (FREEMAN)