North Luzon Monitor

North Luzon

Atok shocks Tuba, Bokod extends streak to eight in Congressional Cup

Atok scored the biggest upset to date in the ongoing Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup with a win against one of the tournament favorite Tuba during the weekend.

Tuba started coldly with its second stringers as starting unit which Atok took advantage off.

Picking – up from where they left in the opening canto, Atok started with a 10- 2 run in the first three minutes of play for a 53-45 lead in the third period.

Tuba came as close to five in the payoff canto but never completed any run with all of its three mostly off the mark and even the free throws were wasted.

Atok coach Jay Pagadora said prayer and trust paid off after beating one of the most fancied teams to make a deep run in the post season in the event backed by Cong. Eric Go Yap, Benguet Gov. Melchor Diclas.

Kurt Tamiray, who helped Cordillera Career Development win back – to – back crown in 2008 and 2009, led Atok with 27 points on top of five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

But Atok’s magical run against Tuba after La Trinidad 2 sent them crashing back to reality with a 116 – 78 loss with Tamiray getting ejected after committing two unsportsmanlike foul.

EASY 2. Aaron Nag-is of La Trinidad 2 goes for an easy lay -up against Bokod’s Jhon Ric Buenaventura in the ongoing Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup. Photo by Roderick Osis

Aaron Nang-is led Trinidad 2 with 19 points for his third best player of the game honor.

It was Trinidad’s first win after three successive defeats.

“I told the boys not to take it lightly against ‘lighter’ teams like Atok which upset Tuba the other day. We needed to end our losing streak,” said coach Dennis Billanes, who was in street clothes.

Tuba meanwhile bounced back Sunday right at their home turf with a convincing victory against Mankayan, 115 – 84.

“We played as one now, unlike yesterday (Saturday) when we played individually,” said Cyril de Vera, who poured in 27 points on top of four rebounds, three assists, five steals and a block.

John Cedric Pugong almost made it a double – double with 16 points and nine boards. He added three assists and steals.

Bokod meanwhile scored back-to back victories during the weekend for their eight wins in eight outings.

After trailing by six in the opening canto against Kabayan on Sunday, Bokod mounted a 19-2 run in the next seven minutes for 19-8 lead.

From then on, Bokod never looked back cruising to a 97-75 win.

Joshua Pascua led four other Bokod players in double digit with 26 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals as well as a single block.

On Saturday, Bokod also cruised to a 95 – 81 win against La Trinidad 2.

Darwin Fernandez had 18 markers while John Ric Buneventura added 22 while brother June Rey chipped in 15 aside from hauling nine boards, dish four dimes, three steals and three blocks.

Two other Bokod players scored 10 or more with Rayell Williams making 14 and Rey Gabino chipped in 10.

Aaron Nang-is led Trinidad 2 with 15, while Lloyd Calma added 11.

In other games, Itogon started slowly but came out a 99-88 winner over a gritty Buguias for its seventh win in the tournament also backed by Hypro Energy Drink.

Itogon started slowly, even trailed in the first canto but managed to take a 21-20 lead.

Julius Mancio, Padawag and Jude Quitalbo led Itogon with 19, 18 and 16 points, with the last adding 14 boards for a double – double.

Sablan meanwhile survived Bakun, 84-81, and end a five game losing streak.

Micheal Panagan, Carvin Jay Velasco and Jeremiah Buslay led Sablan with 10 each.

CLOBBERED. Kapangan’s Fenrie Atinyao drives to the basket but is greeted by two Kabayan players during their match – up in the ongoing Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup. Photo by Roderick Osis

Kapangan extended their win streak to three for their fourth win in seven outings against Kabayan on Saturday at the Sablan Municipal Gym, 84 – 76.

Five players scored in double digits as Kibungan defeats host Sablan to finally win its first, 93-87.

Ryan Contada led Kibungan with 15 points even as Jade Roxas made 13 and the trio of Norman Danglay, Octavio Cuanso, Jr. and Jeffrey Abansi added 10 markers with the last completing a double double after hauling 13 boards on top of two assists, two steals and a lone block.

After five straight losses, Kibungan jumped the gun early on a cold Sablan squad as it outscored the host 32-18 at the end of the first canto.

The lead increased to 24 at halftime, 57-33, and Kibungan never looked back as it cruised to its very first win.

Meanwhile, erstwhile leader La Trinidad 1, after losing to Bokod at home Thursday, vented its ire on a hapless Tublay to win 120-65.

Seven of the eight players who went to Sablan scored in double digit with John Tuazon and Jamil Sultan making 20 points, Kenneth Antonio had 19, Jan Fianza and Armando Pollante chipped in 16 a piece.

Neil Ulep and Alexander Batanes chipped in 14 and 10, respectively.

Batanes and Pollante both made double double after adding 12 and 11 boards, respectively.

Nicanor Menzi, Jr. also made a double – double with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Casey Tagulao added 17 for the losing Tublay squad, which now totes a 2-5 card.

Rex Kitayan top scored with 22 points. Roderick Osis

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