Fatima, Maguikay score wins in Jonher Cup opener

TEAM Fatima nipped Team Tokyo, 53-51, while Maguikay Centro trounced Calderohan Yamog, 41-34, last Saturday at the start of the Jonher Espina – SK Friendship Cup-2013 Inter-Sitio basketball tournament at the Mormon’s open court in barangay Maguikay, Mandaue City.

Fatima led 16-8 in the first quarter and maintained its single-digit lead, 28-22, at the bend and 36-30 entering the final quarter.

Team Tokyo finally tied the count at 51 in the waning seconds of the fourth until Fatima’s Bong Pepito nailed the game-winning jumper for the heart-stopping victory.

Pepito led Fatima with a game-high 23 points while Boy Villarta added 12. Joe Rojas and Dong Laspoña paced Team Tokyo with 18 and 15 markers, respectively.

In the other game, Calderohan-Yamog wasted a slim lead in the opening half as it cooled down the rest of the way allowing Maguikay-Centro to snatch the seven-point win.

Tata Flores and Abing led Maguikay-Centro with 15 and 10 points, respectively, while Sam Jumuad paced Calderohan with 10 markers.

BOX SCORES

FATIMA (53)- Pepito 23, Villarta 12, Aluba 8, Flores 4, Lavador 4, Prahinog 2.

TOKYO (51)- Rojas 18, Laspoña 15, Binagatan 4, Royeras 4, Pantonial 4, Booc 2, Gumera 2, Rojas 2.

2nd game

MAGUIKAY (41)- Flores 15, Abing 10, Pantinople 6, Aluba 4, Cabahug 2, Pensergo 2, Iway 2.

CALDEROHAN (34)- S. Jumuad 10, Escanobas 8, Maloloy-on 6, B. Jumuad 6, Ocenar 4. /Correspondent Dale Rosal