Goldberry sprints to seventh victory in SHAABAA cagefest

CEBU, Philippines – Petron Goldberry reaffirmed its mastery over the Cebu Landmasters, this time via 67-58 decision to stay perfect at 7-0 in the 20th Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) Cup last Sunday at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu new campus gym in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

Leigh Dizon scattered 17 points, while Dave Ting and Justin Huang each scored 12 for Petron Goldberry, which was in complete command after taking an early 15-12.

The defending champions closed the first half with a nine-point edge, 35-26, then further ripped the game apart using a 18-11 run in the third canto. The Cebu Landmasters rallied back in the windup, 21-14, but Goldberry has already piled up enough points to secure its seventh straight win.

Daryl Tan finished with 16 points followed by Jessieneth Wahing with 10 for the Cebu Landmasters, which suffered its third loss in seven starts.

In the other Division A games, the RDAK Stallions rode on a sizzling endgame offensive to tame Bayfront Hotel Cebu anew, 66-54, while Chick@Phil Basic lashed back at Filmon Prince Medallion, 45-41, to finally barge into the win column.

Jair Igna and Fletcher Galvez led RDAK's balanced offensive as they stayed at solo second with a 5-win, 2-loss record. The Stallions  actually trailed by two points after three quarters, 41-43, but detonated a devastating 25-11 bomb in the final quarter to blow away Bayfront Hotel.

Playing coach Elmer Cabahug sparkled with 22 points but his efforts went for naught as Bayfront Hotel dropped to 3-4.

Jappeth Quiñanola, on the other hand, starred with 15 points as Chick@Phil snapped out of its six-game slump.  Jonathan Cimafranca charted 19 points in a losing cause for Filmon, which fell to 1-6.

In Division B games, John Paul Cabrera netted 13 points and Charleston Sia added a dozen points as the RDAK Transporters spilled Caltex Delo, 64-54, to stay on top of the heap with a 7-1 card, while Roger Panal and Sergs Go Bui conspired for 23 points as AutoLab drubbed Filmon Finishing Studio, 66-58, to even its record to 4-4.

Chad Cañares was the lone double-digit scorer with 16 points as Caltex Delo suffered its fourth setback in seven starts. Filmon is still mired at the cellar with six defeats against a solitary win. — EBV (FREEMAN)