Visminda, Cabalen impressive in debuts

Defending champion Visminda-Tambayan and Cabalen-RP Construction/Transamerica put up impressive performances in their debuts as action in the 6th United Filipino Organization Inter-Organization Basketball League kicked off Sunday evening at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the opener, Visminda cagers sent an early message to other teams vying to dethrone them with a dominating 100-79 victory over CNMI POWER-Mayor Juan B. Tudela.

CNMI POWER put up a good fight in the early goings and trailed by just five points, 14-19 after the first 10 minutes of play, but the strength of the defending champions began to take its toll as Jawn Joyner and Lester Babauta combined for 14 points, while Errol Peredo, Nomar Gamboa, and Emil De Belen punched in solid numbers to put Visminda ahead by 13 points, 46-33.

Visminda continued to fire at will and stretched its lead to a commanding 18 points after scoring five points better than the opposition in the third stanza. Veterans Bing Marasigan and Danny Bicera took control for Visminda, each torching the net for eight points, with Marasigan waxing hot for two triples. Christian Dela Cruz tried to single-handedly ignite a run for CNMI POWER with a triple, a field goal, and a couple of free throws, but his efforts were not enough to prevent Visminda from taking a 75-57 lead heading into the payoff period.

That’s when Peredo took over as he drilled in 11 points, Marasigan added another seven, and Visminda hit cruise control for the 21-point victory margin.

Peredo and Marasigan led Visminda with 21 and 18 points, while Bicera added 15. Joyner and Gamboa also chipped in 11 points apiece. Joyner also had nine rebounds, nine assists, five steals, and three block shots.

Russel Ritual and Badong Camacho paced CNMI POWER with 16 and 15 points, respectively, while Alex Lauron and Jun Tabora added 13 and 10 points.

In the second game, Cabalen dominated the second half and closed strong to beat NAMFREL- Region V/Sabungero, 90-76.

NAMFREL trailed by 10 points after the first period but picked up its play and cut the deficit to just seven points, 34-41, courtesy of a 19-16 run in the second quarter.

NAMFREL continued to inch closer in the third period as guard Jerry Mangahis made good on four quick transition layups and four free throws, but the period belonged to Cabalen and its full-court pressure defense, which enabled them to up their lead back to a comfortable margin, 67-55.

All was going in Cabalen’s way and the team had no trouble sealing the deal in the payoff period.

Ronald Delos Reyes and Randy Arnedo led Cabalen with 21 and 14 points, while Ed Palma and Darwin Barbo supported them with 13 and 12 points.

Mangahis finished with a game-high 24 points, while Larry Palero and Gabby Gagate scored 13 and 12 points for NAMFREL.

FIRST GAME

Visminda-Tambayan 100 – Peredo 21, Marasigan 18, Bicera 15, Joyner 11, Gamboa 11, De Guzman 8, Babauta 7, De Belen 6, Uy 3.

CNMI POWER-Mayor Juan Tudela 79 – Ritual 16, Camacho 15, Lauron 13, Tabora 10, Dela Cruz 7, Macoto 6, Calvo 4, Carino 4, Pagraliwangan 4.

Scoring by quarters: 19-14, 46-33, 75-57, 100-79.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Jess Pacheco.

SECOND GAME

Cabalen-RP Construction/Transamerica 90 – Delos Reyes 21, Arnedo 14, Palma 13, D. Barbo 12, Mungcal 8, Cortez 7, Ocampo 6, Sampang 4, Pineda 3, G. Barbo 3.

NAMFREL-Region V/Sabungero 76 – Mangahis 24, Palero 13, Gagate 12, Garcia 6, Pe 6, Miday 4, Samson 4, Nato 3, Alvarez 2, Mumar 2.

Scoring by quarters: 25-15, 41-34, 67-55, 90-76.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Arnold Mesa.