Fighter 50 now 3-0; KCS stuns JTR

CEBU, Philippines — Marvin Hayes unloaded 29 points spiked with 10 rebounds, three assists and as many steals to power the rampaging Fighter 50 Wine to a rousing 86-79 victory over the SG-ARQ Builders in the 1st Mayor Edgar Labella Christmas Inter-Commercial Basketball League last Tuesday evening at the Cebu City Sports Institute gym in Barangay Sawang-Calero.

Royce Alforque added 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals while former PBA star now Cebu City Councilor Dondon Hontiveros chipped in 10 markers as Fighter 50 stretched its unbeaten streak to 3-0 to move a win away from securing a semifinals berth.

Fil-Australian William McAloney, picked by the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Draft two weeks ago, scored only seven but made his presence felt with 13 rebounds and four assists for Fighter 50, which got off to a cold start resulting to an early 16-24 deficit.

Fighter 50, however, countered with a 25-15 blitz in the second period to seize the upper hand at halftime, 41-39. The Wine Makers then launched their second wave of attack, 28-17, to mount a 69-56 edge after three quarters, which they never relinquished until the final buzzer.

On the other hand, the KCS Lapu-Lapu stayed in contention after stunning the previously undefeated Team JTR (Journey To Recovery), 94-80.

Ted Saga piled up 18 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, Melvin Butohan cashed in 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Eleazar Armecin notched 10 points, 10 rebounds and four steals for KCS Lapu-Lapu, which surged ahead by as much as 20 points, 63-43, early in the third stanza on the way to snap out of their two-game slide.

Jayson Balabag and Steve Cabahug each scored 18 while Shane Menina finished with 15 points but to no avail as JTR suffered its first loss in three starts.

In the other game, Jesiel Tarrosa banged in 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists as the ASPA Formworks tripped the Siargao Wave Riders, 71-58, to improve their record to 2-1 in a tie with the JTR squad.

Russel Moneva contributed 16 points, three assists, three steals and two rebounds for ASPA, which never looked back after carving out a huge 41-22 lead at the bend.