A TOTAL of eight teams are competing in the 1st Cebu Customs-2013 Invitational basketball tournament which opened Wednesday night at the Benedicto College gym along A. S. Fortuna St., Mandaue City.
Bingo Matugas, the Tournament Chairman and Co-chairman Rady Abarintos decided to regroup to foster camaraderie and promote physical fitness among government and private employees.
Wednesday’s opening program was attended by no-less than District Collector Edward Dela Cuesta and Deputy Commissioner Lawrence Tañada. The tournament was declared open by Mr. Rady Abarintos.
In the opening games, IBP backed by Lawyers for PJ nipped USC Solarlink, 67-63, while the Customs Portmen led by Bingo Matugas drubbed the BIR Revenuers of Yoly Meso, 75-57.
IBP led by double digits in the first three periods, but Solarlink unloaded a 23-15 bomb in the fourth only to lose by four points.
Fermin Pepito led IBP with 17 points while Mitchael Del Rosario and Bing Caravaña paced USC Solarlink with 22 and 19 points, respectively.
In the other game, the Customs Portmen led from start to finish in drubbing BIR.
Former UC Webmasters pointguard Kenneth Kern Sesante and Boodie Monteño led the Portmen with 14 points apiece while 3-point artist Bingo Matugas added 12.
Six-foot-4 center Jerson Espinosa, a former UV Lancer and Cris Diamos paced BIR with 18 and 10 points, respectively.
BOX SCORES
IBP (67)- Fe. Pepito 17, Miralles 8, R. Bauzon 8, Busi 7, Santos 6, E. Bauzon 5, Gamallo 5, Quijano 4, B. Pepito 2, Bragat 2, Fr. Pepito 2, Sumampong 1.
USC (63)- Del Rosario 22, Caravaña 19, Catubig 6, Mata 4, Dela Torre 4, Avila 3, Romarate 3, Congson 2.
2nd game
CUSTOMS (75)- Sesante 14, Monteño 14, Matugas 12, Gacilos 7, Mose 6, Tan 6, Remonde 4, Cañete 4, Manahan 2, Bitong 2, Laraga 2, Oyao 2.
BIR (57)- Espinosa 18, Diamos 10, Bandala 8, Sorela 6, Zabala 6, Talaroc 4, Meso 2, Del Rosario 2, Victor 1. /Correspondent Dale Rosal