CEBU, Philippines - Petron Goldberry eked out a 62-68 win over the gritty RDAK Stallions to complete a six-game sweep in the first round of elimination in the 20th Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Association Cup last Wednesday at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu old campus gym along General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City.
Job Shan exploded with 21 points, while Leigh Dixon nailed 11 markers for Goldberry, which rode on a strong start and a decisive third-quarter show to fend off RDAK. After leading by a dozen points at the end of the third period, 48-36, Goldberry quelled a daring endgame assault by RDAK to escape with a four-point victory.
Jair Igna finished with 17 points, while Fletcher Galvez and Lucky Ecarma scored 13 and 12, respectively, for the Stallions, who dropped to 4-2 in a tie with the Cebu Landmasters.
In the other Division A match, Eduard Cabahug unloaded 29 points, while Anthony Ong and Ronald Aaron Uy had 10 points each as Bayfront Hotel Cebu blasted Chick@Phil Basic, 75-43, to even its record to 3-3.
Bayfront was dominant from the start and never looked back after taking an early 27-6 lead on the way to hand Chick@Phil Basic its sixth straight loss in as many games.
In Division B, the RDAK Transporters prevailed over AutoLab in a low-scoring match, 40-30, Caltex Delo stunned the Dynamic Power, 48-46, while the White Gold Club crushed Filmon Finishing Studio, 68-31.
Jose Rey Reoma was the lone double-digit scorer with 15 points for the Transporters, who stayed on top of the heap with a 6-1 win-loss record. AutoLab, led by Carlos Villarica and Jud Huang with 21 points combined, fell to 3-4.
Former MVP Dennis Que, on the other hand, almost single-handedly carry Caltex Delo past Dynamic Power. Chad Cañares added 10 points as Caltex Delo bettered its record to 3-3. Rodrick Mangubat had 17 points for Dynamic Power, which suffered its second loss in a row after a 4-0 start.
Romeo Alejandro, Eduardo Rama, Jr. and Teddy Lee conspired for 42 points as White Gold Club notched its only second win in seven starts. Filmon, which drew 26 points from Aldie and Lester Cañizares, crashed to its fifth defeat against only one victory. (FREEMAN)