PAVIA, Iloilo - Cebu City Sinulog Cup champion RKF Industrial and Installation Services registered its second consecutive victory after defeating Oking Merchandiser, 84-78, in the “Ilonggo Basketball League: Battle of Champions” at the Pavia Gym in Pavia, Iloilo, on Monday, April 28, 2025.
Coach Florence Conlu’s team faced tough resistance as it trailed Oking Merchandise for most of the game. The tide turned in the closing minutes when RKF seized an opportunity to secure the win.
MJ Dela Virgen, who tallied 23 points -- including six from the three-point line, was named Best Player of the Game. Ced Ablasa added 19 points for RKF.
Oking Merchandise seemed to be on its way to a surprising win after establishing a 39-23 lead in the middle of the second quarter and ending the first half with a 46-36 advantage. The team maintained its lead in the third quarter, even as RKF showed flashes of brilliance.
However, RKF staged a dramatic comeback in the dying moments of the fourth quarter. Cebuano Reinhard Jumamoy stepped up and scored six points during a 15-7 rally that propelled RKF ahead, 75-74. The National University (NU) Bulldogs point guard also delivered clutch free throws and made a crucial steal with 2:09 seconds remaining, tying the score at 73-73.
RJ Pantin scored 20 points, Kent Montalvo had 16, and Miguel Sasuman added 14 notches for Oking Merchandise, which suffered its second loss in the tournament.
In another game, Double 8 defeated multi-titled CM Farm, 74-69. CM Farm had a good start and held a 35-29 lead at the turn, but lost momentum in the third quarter as Double 8 began waxing hot, with Jason Celis lighting up the scoreboard with triples and finishing the game with 16 markers, including four three-pointers. Alfred Sedillo topscored for Double 8 with 20 points.
Genmar Bragais led CM Farm with 15 points, while Ginto Mejares chalked up 10 markers. With the win, Double 8 now shares the lead with RKF, both sporting a 2-0 record. CM Farm fell to 1-1.
Team Khalifa also secured an easy 95-77 victory Qualitech in the other game of the triple-header. This resounding win avenged Khalifa’s opening-day loss to RKF. Qualitech dropped to 0-2. / JBM