By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negros Island Region, represented by the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts, bowed to Cagayan de Oro, 70-52, at the start of the Chairman’s Cup Philippines 2024 in Iloilo City on Wednesday afternoon, August 14.

Renbert Bulaso finished with 20 points, four rebounds and three steals to be named Player of the Game for Cagayan de Oro, which is represented by Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori School.

“Ang mindset lang namin is manalo lang and makinig lang sa kung ano ang sasabihin ng coaches,” Bulaso said during his Player of the Game interview.

“Ang preparation lang namin is laging mag-practice,” he added.

Negros Island Region gained an early lead in the opening period, but Cagayan de Oro quickly responded with a run to take a slim 13-12 lead after the opening period and a 29-21 edge in the second frame.

The lead grew further for Cagayan de Oro in the third quarter at 46-30, as the Negrenses struggled with their points before it grew to as high as 20 points in the fourth period.

Michael Velasco was the lone double-digit scorer for Negros Island Region, with 12 points, while Alfred Ysulan contributed seven markers in the loss./ASC, WDJ