Landmasters, Insular draw first blood

THE DEFENDING champions Cebu Landmasters continued to be a huge thorn on the side of the mighty Goldberry Suites as they beat the latter, 83-76, in Game One of the best-of-three semifinals in the 2013 Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) Mivesa Cup last Sunday at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu basketball courts in Canduman, Mandaue City.

In the other semifinal pairing, the Insular Square had no trouble defeating the RDAK Transporters, 74-61, to surge ahead in their series and come within a win away from making it to the championship round.

Ed Macasling continued to solidify his bid for the MVP trophy as he scored 24 points on top of six steals and three rebounds for Insular Square. Antonio Datan added 15 points and nine rebounds while Leigh Dixon chipped in 13 points and 17 boards.

However, the day belonged to the Landmasters, who banked on a sizzling second half performance to upend the very same team they beat for the crown last year. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio