USLS Stingers break Talisay's win streak

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

UNIVERSITY of St. La Salle-Nhojs sit atop the standings at 2-0 as the only undefeated team in the tourney after turning back defending champ Talisay City, 114-109 in Class A action of the 12th Tan Kek Pin Memorial Basketball Cup at TTHS Po Hang Gym.

The Stingers key to their upset victory was their running game which the team used to the hilt coupled with timely outside shots to neutralize the height and heft advantage of the more seasoned players of Talisay City.

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Nhojs was led by Emman Sevilla who finished with 19 points, 12 of which he delivered with 3 treys in the payoff quarter. He was backstopped by the outstanding play of teammate Harvey Eslawa who converted 16 of 16 from the charity line and scored 18 points while Kevin Villafranca made 8 of his 13 points in the payoff quarter.

Nikos Cuenca who quarterbacked the Stingers offense sank 11 markers, Arturo Cuaresma had 10 and Allen Dionela 9 points.

Ex-USLS Stinger Rodgie Gelasan paced Talisay with 25 points, Sonny Abaring and Atoy Salazar chipped in with 15 points each, Joemel Garrido picked up 11, Jornel Laborte had 11 points all in the 4th quarter, and Ervin De La Peña contributed 8 points.

In the nightcap, Rogers/Province of Negros Occidental got back on the winning track as they surprised highly fancied JSY Transport in overtime, 97-87.

JSY Transport led from the start until Mark linaja scored his only basket to give Province its 1st lead in the game, 77-75 with 3:37 left in regulation.

Alfie Villariza and Chad Paez responded for JSY to post a 2-point lead. The free throws of Rogers/Province's Joemarie Bayhon and Leo Bat-og forced the extension at 79 all.

Province shifted its offense to another level in overtime, as they scored 18 points against the 8 points of JSY to tie their victim at 1-1 in the team standings.

Joemarie Bayhon and Leo Bat-og shared scoring honors for Province with 19 points each, Rodel Canino and Peewee Demonteverde made 16 points each, Mark Ramos had 12 and Richard Verayo had 8 points.

Chad Paez paced JSY with 16 points, Pipo Javelona added 13, Michael Macon scored 11, Ruel Balgos and Vengie Vergara had 10 points each while Alfie Villariza and Arnol Laureño had 8 points each.

In the curtain raiser Fil-Sino B-Meg Mang Inasal, missing the services of its four frontcourt players, fell to University of Negros Occidental Polvora's Law office 86-79.

UNO-R outscored Fil-Sino for three quarters to take a 68-52 lead before B-Meg Mang Inasal rallied but just fell short as time was not on their side.

Colin Testa led Polvora's balanced offensive with 15 points, Joemel Paderog scored 15, Richer Santillan shot 13 and Tata Javillo made 11 pts.

Mang Inasal was led by Robbie Jalando-on with 26 points, Carl John Oquindo added 16 and Donald Qulantang had 9 points.

Schedule of Games:

February 11 (Saturday) 5:30 p.m. USLS vs Rogers/Province and 7 p.m. Fil-Sino vs JSY Transport

February 12 (Sunday) 3 p.m. USLS vs JSY Transport; 4:30 p.m. Fil-Sino vs Talisay City; and 6 p.m. Rogers/Province vs UNO-R. (Butch Bacaoco and Stephen Tan)