ALCANTARA — The ARQ Builders Lapu-Lapu Heroes emerged victorious over the Dumaguete Warriors, 76-62, to break out of their recent slump in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup on Saturday evening at the Alcantara Civic Center in Alcantara, Cebu.
Losers of two straight in the second round including a 66-75 setback to KCS-Mandaue on Friday night, the Heroes needed a win in the worst way and got just that, thanks to inspired performances from Reed Juntilla, Dawn Ochea and reserve forward Fletcher Galvez.
Juntilla led ARQ in scoring with 14 points, four rebounds and three assists to help them even their win-loss record up at 4-4. Meanwhile, Ochea notched a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards while Galvez came off the bench and gave the Heroes a lift with his 13 points, eight boards, two assists and a steal.
Dumaguete, though, tried to rally in the fourth and pulled to within 11, 62-73, after being down by as much as 25. However, they were not able to score any more points after that last salvo, resulting in their fifth loss in six games.
Jaybie Mantilla paced Dumaguete with 18 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals while Mark Doligon and James Regalado had 14 markers apiece. Mannie Gabas ably manned the shaded lane with 10 points, 10 boards and two blocks but the Warriors failed to arrest their losing slide which has now reached three games.
THE SCORES
Lapu-Lapu (76)—Juntilla 14, Ochea 13, Galvez 13, Abad 8, Berame 6, Arong 5, Minguito 4, Lusdoc 4, Regero 4, Tangkay 3, Arong 2, Solis 0, Mondragon 0, Igot 0
Dumaguete (62)—Mantilla 18, Regalado 14, Doligon 4, Gabas 10, Velasquez 3, Roy 3, Monteclaro 0, Tomilloso 0, Gonzalgo 0, Porlares 0, Aguilar 0
Quarterscores: 24-13, 42-20, 61-39, 76-62