THE Freeman-Cebu Daily News (CDN) Red Shamans took off to a flying start in the 2013 Newsmen Basketball Association of Cebu (NBAC) as they blasted ABS-CBN, 79-43, yesterday at the Chiang Kai Shek Gymnasium of the Cebu Eastern College Gym.
Merging for the first time in the tournament participated by Cebu’s media outlets, The Freeman-CDN dominated ABS-CBN from the get go as it never trailed in the entire contest to seal the 36-point rout.
Peter Romanillos and Manny Villaruel combined for 41 to lead the Red Shamans.
Calvin Cordova scored seven markers, while Junjie Mendoza, Lemuel Maglinte and Ador Mayol chipped in six each as the winning team never looked back after ending the first quarter with a 20-8 lead.
In a display of superb offensive attack, all players of The Freeman-CDN barged into the scoring column with Dale Rosal, Edwin Ian Melecio, Aldo Banaynal and Tito Tan contributing at least two points apiece.
Edgar Escalante topped ABS-CBN with 18 points followed by Roel Navarro with 11.
Earlier in the first game, Godfrey Rellin fired 20 points to lead GMA-7 to a 61-47 win over CCTN-47./CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL