CEBU, Philippines — GDSM Marketing and Boss KTV served early notice of their serious title bids after pounding their respective rivals in the open division of 8th Mayor Teresa 'Nene' P. Alegado Fiesta Basketball League at the Consolacion Sports Complex.
Russel Movera dropped seven 3-point bombs of his tournament-high 32 points to power GDSM Marketing to a 110-96 drubbing of All Friends.
Russel's brother Rexon Moneva chipped in 14 markers, while former University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancer JC Escalona tossed in 12 points for GDSM, which kept All Friend at bay after taking a 60-48 advantage at halftime, 60-48.
GDSM kept its sharp offensive form in the third period to pad its lead to 87-70 heading into the final 12-minute zone of the contest.
Larry Malagar paced All Friends with 24 points. John Haniel Abinales netted 22 points and Lemuel Malagar scored 16 in a losing effort.
In the other game, Randy Colonia fired 24 points as Boss KTV came from behind to wallop David Justine, 63-49.
Lemar Dahil and Jerome Valle connived for 23 points for Boss KTV, which launched a fierce final-half attack to turn the tables on David Justine.
Trailing 10-19 after the first period and 27-30 at halftime, Colonia sparked a searing third-quarter rally that pushed Boss KTV on top by three for good 46-43.
Playing with renewed confidence, Boss KTV grew even hotter at the endgame to whip David Justine by 14 points at the final buzzer.
Joniel Maglasang led David Justine with 14 points, Erwin Brigoli had 12 and Joseph Cabahug finished with 10 points for the losing side.
Meanwhile, Nangka, Tolotolo and Lanipga coasted to their second straight win to take the early lead in their respective divisions.
Winston Pepito tallied 22 points as Nangka blasted Jugan in SK Juniors Category A, Jessie Bathan erupted for 26 points to power Tolotolo past Tilhaong, 67-32, in SK Juniors Category B, Junbrey Arcilla and Ujellio Medillo conspired for 32 points as Lanipga edged Panas, 49-43, in the Inter-Barangay Seniors Category B, while Jeco Alfanta unloaded 29 points to spur Tolotolo to a 71-53 rout of Tilhaong in Midgets Category B. (FREEMAN)