North Luzon Monitor

North Luzon

La Trinidad, Itogon scores past Tublay, Sablan

SABLAN, BENGUET — La Trinidad whipped neighbor Tublay, 91-53 while Itogon sprung the trap on Sablan at the latter’s turf Tuesday as both municipalities remain undefeated after two games in Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup Benguet Basketball League.

The defending champion La Trinidad flexed its muscle and buried the ghost of Saturday’s opener against Kabayan to easily beat the hapless Tublay side.

“We are slowly getting there. A little more,” said coach Jhong del Rosario, who was speechless after the close call against Kabayan even with a full line up considered as the best in local basketball.

Despite missing Armando Pollante, Will Kean Lee, Bryan Gravilez and Louis Michael Apelado, it was no problem for del Rosario as he relied on sweet shooting Keane Zachery Diaz who opened the game with three treys to give Trinidad a 15-8 lead.

Then it was Charlie Andawey’s turn in the second quarter and a Shawn Aquisay who started flexing his muscle as the two combined to give the defending champion a 36-16 lead.

By the end of the third canto, the lead has ballooned to 32, 65-33.

Neil Ulep’s shot early in the fourth quarter saw Trinidad get a 67-33 lead that went up to 42 at 79-37, midway in the fourth canto.

Diaz led all scorers with 19 points on top of five rebounds, two dimes, two steals and a single block.

The former Saint Louis University captain Aquisay had 15 points aside from 3-2-3 rebounds – assists – steals, while Andawey added 10 markers aside from taking four boards.

Charlton Dagnasi led the losing squad with 14 points.

Trinidad started the league with a 2-0 win loss slate, while Tublay, which missed top man Nicanor Menzi, Jr. due to an injury and newcomer Carlo Tomita, formerly of La Trinidad 2, who missed the first game, is 0-1.

Itogon, who missed the service of Jan Rasec Ganilo during their opening match last Saturday, mounted a 23 – 7 lead at the end of the opening canto.

Itogon upped the lead to 19 at halftime before making it a 20-point lead late in the third canto. Sablan, however, refused to whittle under the Itogon gold rush and even cutting the lead to only 12, 64-52, late in the final quarter.

Ganilo finished the game with 17 points and seven rebounds while also contributing in all the departments with a single assist and two steals and blocks.

Kim Padawag added 11 points aside from four boards, a single dime and three steals.

Former University of Baguio volleyball player Jadway Millet led Sablan in its debut with a double double – 10 markers and 16 rebounds. He also dished two assists.

Games return to the Benguet Sports Complex in Wangal, La Trinidad today, October 16, with a beefed up Kapangan making its debut against a contending Kibungan in the curtain raiser.

Kapangan will parade new players Rudolf Eilenger, formerly of the University of the Cordilleras, as well as La Trinidad transferees Alexander and Norman Batanes as well as Ferdinand Sapalong (Itogon) and Marc Candido (Bakun).

Buguias will also open its bid when it clashes with a Tuba side wanting to vent its ire on another team after an opening loss to Bokod.

Atok makes its debut on Thursday, October 17 against Tublay which the latter will host. Sablan hopes to bounce back when it clashes with Bakun.

It will be another full house on Saturday at the BSC with Bokod eye a share of the lead when it clashes with Mankayan. Trinidad goes for win number three against Buguias, while Itogon will likewise seek its third victory against Kibungan with Chad Villanueva having a reunion with fellow former UC player John Paul Jularbal.

Upset conscious Kabayan, which rattled Trinidad to the core during the opener, goes up against Kapangan, while Tuba battles Tublay in the last game. CEGYCC Release

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