TEAM Molave and Hilltop routed separate foes to share the lead with identical 2-1 win-loss records in the ongoing Lagtang Balik Basketball Association (LABBA)-2011 Christmas basketball tournament at the Tabunok Sports Complex in Talisay City, Cebu.
Molave crushed CCR, 97-74 while Hilltop battered an undermanned Dumlog, 70-48.
Molave had a slow start and led by just four, 20-16 in the opening period but roared back in the second with a blistering, 32-18 run to grab a a commanding 18-point lead at the half, 52-34.
Then, Romy Alob sizzled in the third scoring 12 straight points all from beyond the arc that gave Molave its biggest lead at, 74-49 heading to the fourth quarter.
Togs Cabo and Koy Abaquita scored 20 and 19 points, respectively for Molave while Romy Alob added 12. Rene Famulagan paced CCR with 28 points.
In the main game, Hilltop rallied from an 8-point deficit in the first half with a, 35-5 rally in the homestretch to keep Dumlog winless in the tournament.
Ayie Econas and Javier Cabo led Hilltop with 20 and 18 points, respectively while Wilson Villanueva and Dexter Quijano paced Dumlog with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
This event is made possible through the efforts of LABBA officials headed by club president Jumie Tabay, Romulo Alob and Tasyo Abaquita.
BOX SCORES
MOLAVE (97)- Cabo 20, K. Abaquita 19, Alob 12, Armada 10, Cabellon 9, J. Lastimos 6, Torbiso 6, Alvarado 6, T. Lastimosa 4, Cañete 3, T. Abaquita 2.
CCR (74)- R. Famulagan 28, Adoro 12, B. Abaquita 9, Echavez 8, Bordalba 8, Caballero 7, Lauron 2.
2nd game
HILLTOP (70)- A. Econas 20, J. Cabo 18, Tabay 14, C. Econas 10, Verano 8.
DUMLOG (48)- Villanueva 13, Quijano 12, Yagaya 10, Gascon 7, Bacus 6. /Correspondent Dale Rosal