Kabayan’s Naisod, Bokod’s Gabino score records in Yap Cup
(Left photo) DEUCE. Tuba’s Jonas Gacula scores past a defender from Kapangan during their weekend game in Sablan, Benguet. Tuba sneaked past Kapangan, 112 – 58 for their second victory in the ongoing Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup.
DOUBLED. Kabayan ballers gang–up on a lone Sablan dribbler in the ongoing eliminations round of the ongoing Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup. (MSD Photo release)
KABAYAN, Benguet – A local and a fireman from Bokod stationed here reset the records and led their respective teams to blowout wins Tuesday at the Barrio Kabayan here in the Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup.
Kyle Aldich Naisod torched their opponent by connecting 11 of his shots from deep for a record setting 39 big markers en route to Kabayan’s mauling of the visiting Atok, 104-81, to register its first win in three games of the tournament backed by Cong. Eric Go Yap and ACT – CIS party list.
However, Naisod’s record was short-lived after Rey Gabino doused cold water against a visiting Mankayan side as he topped the former’s tally with a new tournament best 45 points and Bokod routed the northerners 107-73 of the tournament also in partnership with Gov. Melchor Diclas, Media for Sports and Development, Mark Media Solutions and Hypro Energy Drink.
Naisod came early, 2 PM, to practice on his shooting which he said was key to him going berserk in the second quarter where he made five from beyond the arc for a 22 of the team’s 27-point effort.
On top of that, he made eight boards, seven dimes, and three steals.
“I guess coming here to practice early really paid off,” said the soft-spoken AB Political Science graduate from Saint Louis University where he played basketball for his school, the School of Teaching, Education and Liberal Arts.
“I just wanted to finish my schooling on time so I did not try out for the varsity,” who graduated this year. He leads the league with a 28-point average per outing.
Criswell Alumit added 21 points and Teofilo Albert chipped in 10 markers, eight of which came in the first canto to give Kabayan a 24-16 lead.
Adopted son Gabino on the other hand, scored in double digits in almost all quarters but on the second when Mankayan threatened to cut the lead to nine before Bokod made it a 60-49 halftime affair.
The former Cordillera Career Development College player Gabino, a fireman assigned in Kabayan but still a Bokod resident, made 16 in the first quarter as he joined former University of the Cordilleras point guard John Rick Buenaventura, who added 12, as Bokod surged to a 41-20 lead.
Jovencio Caleno made a double-double, 10 points, and 11 rebounds on top of seven assists and two steals, while John Ric Buenaventura added 16 points, aside from six assists and three steals.
Shane Balñges also made a double-double – 12 points and 11 boards aside from eight assists and two steals as Bokod moved to a perfect 4-0 win-loss card, to stay behind La Trinidad at 5-0.
Last weekend, Sablan finally broke into the win column by beating Kabayan, 95-79 with Michael Panagan and Jeremiah Buslay carrying local pride as they both scored 17 points.
Albert led Kabayan with 17 markers, while Naisod was limited to a measly 13.
La Trinidad 2 cruised to its third win by beating Mankayan 110-75 with Jasper Miguel leading the charge with 19, Bryan Estepa adding 18, while Justin Eithan Tan and Lloyd Calma chipping in 17 markers.
Mark Jaypee Reyes contributed 14, while point guard Oshwald Matias and Joseph Banto chipped in 10 a piece with the latter adding 12 boards for a double-double.
Teener Jamil Sultan led four other La Trinidad 1 players with double figure scorers with 25 as the team totally outclassed Bakun, 125-68. Long-range hitter Jason Alvaran (20), Elton Tayab (19), John Russel Tuazon (17), and Jan Franco Fianza (10) contributed to Trinidad 1’s 4-0 campaign on a day when big man Armando Pollante was absent.
Tublay marked its first win with a close 82-78 victory over the hard-fighting Kibungan in the closing game last Saturday.
Last Sunday in Itogon, after two non-stellar showings, Aaron Nang-is was back to his old self as he earned his second best player of the game with a 24-2-2-3 performance as Trinidad B pulled a 94-60 victory over the overmatched but fighting Buguias which was led by Jan Earl Agayao who connected seven of his long-range shots en route to 27 points.
John Rick Buenaventura earned his second-best player of the game honor as he made 16 points to lead Bokod to an 87-68 victory over Atok.
Itogon survived four of its player’s disqualification as it hammered Mankayan 97-83 in the mine war.
Jan Mancio and Omer Baluch added 11 and 10 points apiece.
Mankayan, who lost three players through disqualification including the first suspension of a team member, was led by big man Jay Rey Elefante with 13.
Former CCDC big man and later coach Fenrie Atinyao chalked 17 markers to lead Kapangan past Sablan, 91-82, for its first victory.
La Trinidad, I sent a young Amiel Gacula-less Tuba squad to school with a methodical 103-85 beating. It was the fifth win of the Alvaran led squad in as many games to lead the Yap-initiated tournament for the 13 towns.
Alvaran tied the then tournament high of 32 points and high triples of 10 to lead the Valley’s first team, while Armando Pollante added 27 points on top of 12 boards. # (MSD Release)
