By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.

Barangays 7 and Bata ruled over their respective rivals on Tuesday’s Round-of-16 initial matches and secured seats in the quarterfinals of the ongoing 1st Congressman Greg Gasataya Basketball League at the STI-West Negros University gym.
Santillan fired 16 points to spearhead Barangay 7 in a 68-65 victory over Mandalagan, while Laureno lifted Bata with 19 points in an 80-76 demolition over Alangilan.
Brgy. 7 took an early 19-15 lead in the opening quarter behind Santillan’s 7 points, and further extended the lead to 54-43 at the half on a 19-13 blast in the second quarter with Garin hitting a pair of treys.
Mandalagan tried to fight out in the third with De la Cruz’s 7 points for his team’s 15 points, while Santillan hit 9 points to keep Brgy.7 way ahead entering the final period.
De la Cruz fired 7 points and Jacob hit 6 markers to push a 22-14 points in the playoff period but not enough to overturn the game result.
Backstopping Santillan was Tuyo with 12 points, while Garin and Laborte added 6 points apiece.
Meanwhile, De la Cruz paced Mandalagan with 19 points; Alib added 7 and Jacob 6.
In the other match, Bata came out to be too much for Alangilan as Laureno scored 15 points of his total 19 markers in the fourth quarter to anchor his team’s solid offense.
Martines fired 6 points to lead Bata’s well-balanced attack of 20 points in the opening quarter, while Javillo delivered 7 points to anchor Alangilan’s 15-point output.
Bata further widened their lead to 43-32 at the break on a 23-17 blast in the second period and never looked back.
Ohoylan scored 10 points to support Bata’s offense; Paderog added 9, while Martines and Tortillas shot 6 points apiece.
Javillo spearheaded Alangilan with 26 points; Dacles added 13 and Espiso 8./WDJ