Cebu Inter-Port, Philhealth cagers make semis

THE Cebu Inter-Port Users and Philhealth marched to the semifinal round after beating their respective quarterfinal foes in the Cebu Customs Invitational Tournament last weekend at the Benedicto College gym in Mandaue City.

CIPU rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat ALIN, 88-81, while Philhealth outlasted the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), 61-53 to snatch berths in the semis round.

CIPU was sluggish from the start and allowed the fourth-seeded ALIN to take leads that went as high as 14 points. However, CIPU slowly found their groove and were within just three at halftime, 41-44. They then took control of the match in the third canto and brought a 70-65 lead to the final stretch.

Cornelio Moral led CIPU with 16 points even as Ramil Aniñon and Reyden Villaronza added 10 apiece.

Rechito Lleve and Ryan Villomo had 19 and 17 points, respectively for ALIN.

In the other match, Philhealth elevated its game in the third period to beat BIR with Anthony Cenabre and Earl Escobido presiding over that telling third quarter run that gave them a, 46-39 lead heading to the last stanza.

Sherwin Arco led Philhealth with 15 while Allen Sorela and Jerson Espinosa Paced BIR with 15 and 13, respectively.

CIPU will face the winner of the do-or-die game between Bureau of Customs and USC ‘86/Solarlink in the semifinals while Philhealth goes up against Group A top seed MJDL Titans in the other semifinals match-up.

BOXSCORES

First Game

CIPU (88) – Moral 16, Aniñon 10, Villaronza 10, Largosa 9, Mondin 8, Maningo 8, Manlosa 6, Niones 6, Garcia 5, Allerte 3, Sagmio 2.

ALIN (81) – Lleve 19, Villomo 17, Barral 10, Alin 8, Laurel 6, Estorio 5, Alimoren 2.

Second Game

Philhealth (61) – Arco 15, Escobido 9, Teves 7, Cenabre 6, Yap 6, Canelito 6, Anadon 6, Quiñanola 4.

BIR (53) – Sorela 15, Espinosa 13, Talaroc 6, del Rosario 5, Guieb 5, Bandala 4, Diamos 4, Zabala 2. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio