TALISAY City kept its unbeaten streak and is a win away from taking home the title of the Samsam Gullas Cup 3.0 Legacy Cup after a comfortable 90-72 victory over Carcar City in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals series at the Talisay Sports Complex on Tuesday night, Feb. 5.
The Aquastars immediately took the lead, 21-14, after a quarter of action. The lead ballooned to 19 points at halftime.
The Lechoneros came alive in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to extinguish Talisay City’s comfortable lead.
John Elmer Villabrille, who was named the player of the game, tallied a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds along with a steal and a block, while Jay Deiparine had a complete game with 15 markers, five boards, five assists and five steals. Michael Tabay Jr. added 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks, while Ronan Briones chipped in 11 points.
Leonilli Martorillas led Carcar City with 21 points, three rebounds, a steal and a block. Rey Joseph Alfeche and Wel Mark Quiapo were the two other Lechoneros that put up double figures in scoring.
Alfeche had 16 markers, three boards, four assists and a steal. Quiapo added 14 points, seven rebounds and a block.
Game 2 is on Friday night, Feb. 8, in Carcar City.
Talisay City, which finished the elimination round with a flawless 5-0 record, beat defending champion San Fernando, 87-67, to earn a spot in the finals.
Carcar City, which finished second with a 4-1 slate, defeated Minglanilla, 75-72, for the other finals spot. (EKA)