By Adrian Stewart Co
Narciso Llagas heated up on offense as Tubigon Bohol Mariners finally tasted a win in the Visayas leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup with a 92-77 triumph over Tabogon Voyagers on Saturday, April 24, at the Alcantara Civic Center in Cebu.
The former University of the East Red Warriors center scored a tournament-high 35 points, built on 15-of-17 field goal shooting, to go along with 10 rebounds as the Mariners notched its first win in seven matches.
The Mariners drew inspiration from the presence of team owner Gel Leo as they erased a 23-28 first quarter deficit with a 12-2 scoring blast in the second frame capped by a floater by Llagas for a 46-41 lead.
The lead grew to 73-62 entering the fourth but the Voyagers managed to trim the deficit to 72-79 before the Mariners dropped 10 unanswered points from Joseph Marquez, Jumike Casera, Llagas, and Wade Cabizares for its largest lead at 89-72.
Marquez was also a big reason for the Mariners’ maiden win as he contributed 15 points, five rebounds, six assists, three steals, and three blocks while Cabizares tallied 11 markers and three assists.
“Matagal ko na rin ‘to hinihintay na manalo dito sa VisMin Super Cup. Kumbaga, parang icebreaker na rin. Nakahinga na rin,” a jubilant Mariners head coach Gino Enriquez said.
Richmond Bersabal had double-double of 20 points and 16 rebounds, Arvie Bringas chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds, while Christian Diaz contributed 10 points and nine boards as the Voyagers dropped to 3-5.
Meanwhile, ARQ Builders Lapu-Lapu Heroes vented its ire against Dumaguete Warriors with a 76-62 domination. The Heroes are now at solo third place in the standings with 4-4 slate.
The Heroes were dominant since the start as they build a 61-36 lead but the Warriors clawed its way back to within 73-62 before Lapu-Lapu tightened its defense to escape with the win.
Reed Juntilla led the Heroes in scoring with 14 points to go along with four rebounds, and three assists while Dawn Ochea notched a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards.
BOX SCORE:
TUBIGON 92 – Llagas 35, Marquez 15, Cabizares 11, Musngi 8, Casera 4, Ibarra 4, Dadjijul 4, Tangunan 3, Montilla 3, Tilos 3, Leonida 2, Apolonias 0.
TABOGON 77 – Bersabal 20, Bringas 13, Diaz 10, Orquina 8, Lacastesantos 7, Caballero 7, de Ocampo 6, Sombero 4, Vitug 2.
Quarterscores: 23-28, 48-43, 73-62, 92-77./ASC, WDJ