THE defending champion Talisay City Aquastars picked up where they left off as they opened their title retention bid with a dominating 96-69 win over Sibonga in the opening day of the 2019 Governor’s Cup Inter Cities/Municipalities Basketball Tournament last March 9.
The Aquastars showed no sign of rust as they opened the game with a 28-14 run to give their supporters at the Talisay City Sports Complex a hint of what to expect from the team this season.
The Aquastars’ lead ballooned to a commanding 31 points after the third quarter before they finished off Sibonga team with a 27-point edge.
Clark Louis Ruedas scored 17 points, while Jay Deiparine added 16 for the Aquastars, which won all their 14 games last season.
In the other games at the Talisay City gym, Naga City beat Carcar City, 77-61, while Minglanilla sneaked past San Fernando, 73-69.
The Under-21 grassroots players also had opening cermonies in Oslob, Tuburan, Bogo City, Catmon, Danao City, Consolacion and Dumanjug held simultaneously last March 9.
Over at the Oslob Municipal Gym, Alcoy beat Santander, 86-60, Samboan defeated Boljoon, 79-78, and Argao won over Oslob, 63-59.
At the Bogo City Coliseum, Tabogon beat Tabuelan, 79-72, Medellin beat San Remigio, 76-66, and host Bogo City downed Santa Fe, 88-62.
Carmen escaped Borbon, 87-85, and Sogod beat Catmon 74-73, at the Catmon Municipal Gym, while San Francisco beat Poro, 91-62, and Danao City beat Tudela, 119-62, at the Danao City Civic Center.
In the other games, home team Consolacion beat Cordova, 85-78, Balamban beat host team Tuburan, 97-96, while Moalboal defeated Ronda, 78-71, and Dumanjug outclassed Alcantar, 89-53, at the Dumanjug Municipal Gym. (RSC)