MANILA – MJAS Zenith-Talisay City Aquastars are still on top of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Visayas leg after maintaining its unblemished slate by securing the victory against Tubigon Bohol, 97-65 on Thursday at the Alcantara Civic Center in Cebu.
Hezy Val Acuña top-scored with 14 points built on four three-pointers while Patrick Cabahug had three triples to finish the match with 13 markers as the Aquastars moved to a 6-0 win-loss slate.
Jaymar Gimpayan contributed 13 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. Jhaymo Eguilos chipped in 11 points, six boards, and two blocks while Kevin Villafranca added nine points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
The Aquastars started the game flat as they trailed to 24-35 in the second quarter before mounting a huge run in the second half behind Acuña and Gimpayan by having a 48-41 lead.
Cabahug, Villafranca, Egie Boy Mojica, Shane Menina, and Kevin Villafranca all joined the scoring parade during the crucial stretch to help Talisay build a 66-47 lead before entering the fourth quarter.
“We’re very concerned with our slow starts. I think two games na ‘to,” said Cabahug. “So Coach [Aldrin Morante] told us not to be overconfident because it’s what’s causing us to start slow. He reminded us that all the teams here are capable of beating us.”
Jonathan Ibarra was Bohol’s high-point man with 16 points, Joseph Marquez scored 14 points and eight rebounds, and Narciso Llagas had 13 points and 10 boards. They remained winless in six games.
Meanwhile, Tabogon Voyagers leaned on the exploits of Arvie Bringas to escaped with a 76-73 win against ARQ Builders Lapu-Lapu Heroes, where most of its players are back from suspension.
Down 67-73 with over two minutes left, Tabogon knotted the score at 73-all behind baskets from Gayford Rodriguez and Bringas. They took the lead for good with free throws from Bringas and Almer Orquina.
Bringas finished the match with 20 points and eight rebounds. Rodriguez contributed 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists, a steal, and two blocks while Joemari Lacastesantos had 16 markers.
BOX SCORE:
TALISAY CITY 97 — Acuña 14, Gimpayan 13, Cabahug 13, Eguilos 11, Villafranca 9, dela Cerna 7, Menina 5, Mojica 5, Moralde 4, Santos 4, Casajeros 4, Hubalde 2, Ugsang 2, Cuyos 2, Jamon 2.
BOHOL 65 — Ibarra 16, Marquez 14, Llagas 13, Musngi 8, Dadjijul 6, Tilos 4, Cabizares 2, Casera 2, Leonida 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
18-20, 38-41, 66-47, 97-65./PN
