LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Poblacion averted a possible sweep by Puguis of the first ever La Trinidad Mayor’s Cup Basketball Competitions by dealing them a 103-88 beating last February 19, 2017 at the La Trinidad, Municipal Gym.
The trio of Vonn Padilla, Justin Benter, and Gerald Abella tallied 81 points of Poblacion’s total score to led the team in its resounding conquest of Puguis.
Puguis barely missed the broom in 1st LT Mayor’s Cup
Poblacion went for the kill early when it opened the game with a crippling 17-1 blast during the first seven minutes of the game on blazing fastbreaks and crisp passes to set the tone for the night. The trio accounted 13 points recorded in the opening salvo.
The Poblacion onslaught continued till the five-minute mark of the second that pushed their lead to even 20 points, 44-24. Puguis closed out the half on a high note with a 16-10 counter attack to inch somewhat closer, 54-40.
Poblacion refused to let up by engineering another brilliant run in the third, reestablishing the lead back to 21, 78-57. By the time the clock read 7:14 in the fourth, Poblacion still enjoyed a clearly comfortable 20-point lead, 83-63.
It is at this point that Puguis decided to make a last run at the lead. Alfie Bulay knocked in six points while Noel Osngao chipped in four to ignite a 12-3 Puguis run and cut the lead to 11, 86-75, with still 4:43 to go.
This Puguis charge also initiated the game to become more physical as players on the court increased their pushing and shoving in order to jockey for position and retrieve possession of the ball.
Poblacion, however, was quick to douse cold water to put off the sizzling counter with two three point plays. Abella canned a triple while Harvin Panganiban completed a three-point play to push back the lead to 17, 92-75, and bag the game for Poblacion.
Betag sends LT Mayor’s Cup 35 Up semis to sudden death
The physicality of the game, however, took its toll when Jovencio Caleno was slapped with a closed fist foul and was promptly ejected at the 2:58 mark.
Caleno acknowledged in the post-game interview that he fell to the bait of the opposition for him to loss his cool. He said he only retaliated to a similar incident on him that was not seen by the game officials.
Both teams, however, converged at center court upon the sounding of the final buzzer and settled the friction to end the night of competitions.
The tournament was then concluded with the awarding ceremonies and a dinner courtesy of the host, La Trinidad Mayor Romeo K. Salda.
See photos of the Mayor’s Cup: (Sports Action in Full Color)
The scores:
Poblacion 103: Vonn Padilla 29, Justin Benter 28, Gerald Abella 24, Harvin Panganiban 7, Giovanni Cuilan 7, Jeron Lumba 6, John Patrick Caoili 2, Johnnery Epler, Shater Epler.
Puguis 88: Alfie Bulay 26, Noel Osngao 17, Jovencio Caleno 11, Mark Del Rosario 11, Jordan Sales 10, Tyrel Santiago 8, Jeves Sales 4, Elton Tayab 1, Shane Tomas.
3pt shots made: Padilla 6, Cuilan 1, Bulay 3, Osngao 2.
Quarterscores: 27-13, 54-40, 78-57, 93-66.
By: ARMANDO BOLISLIS.
