University of St. La Salle- Nhoj sits atop the standings at 2-0 as the only undefeated team in the tournament as they turned back defending champion Talisay City, 114-109, in Class A of the 12th Tan Kek Pin Memorial Basketball Cup at Bacolod Tay Tung High School Po Hang Gym.

Hitting their outside shots and using their running game to the hilt, the Stingers countered the height and heft advantage of the more seasoned players of Talisay City.

Nhoj was led by Emman Sevilla who finished with 19 points, including three treys during the payoff quarter.

He was backstopped by the outstanding play of teammate Harvey Eslawa, who made 16 of 16 from the free throw line and finished with 18 points, while Kevin Villafranca delivered eight of his 13-point tally during the fourth quarter.

Quarterbacking Stingers’ offense was Nikos Cuenca, who scored 11 points, while Arturo Cuaresma added 10 points and Allen Dionela, with 9 points.

Former USLS Stinger Rodgie Gelasan paced Talisay with 25 points, Sonny Abaring and Atoy Salazar had 15 points each, Joemel Garrido and Jornel Laborte had 11 points apiece, while Ervin De La Peña added 8 points.

In the other game, Rogers/Province of Negros Occidental got back on the winning track as they surprised highly fancied JSY Transport in overtime, 97-87.

JSY Transport led from the start until Mark Linaja scored his only basket to give Province its first lead in the game at 77-75 with 3:37 left in regulation.

Alfie Villariza and Chad Paez responded for JSY for a two-point lead, but free throws from Joemarie Bayhon and Leo Bat-og for Province forced the extension after the regulation ended at 79-all.

Province shifted its offense to another level in overtime as they scored 18 points against the 8-point output of JSY to tie their victim at 1-1 in the team standing.

Joemarie Bayhon and Leo Bat-og shared scoring honors for Province with 19 points, Rodel Canino and Peewee Demonteverde made 16 each, Mark Ramos had 12, and Richard Verayo had 8 points.

Chad Paez paced JSY with 16 points, Pipo Javelona added 13, Michael Macon scored 11 points, Ruel Balgos and Vengie Vergara had 10 points each, Alfie Villariza and Arnol Laureño had 8 points apiece.

Meanwhile, Missing the services of four of its frontcourt players, Fil-Sino Bmeg Mang Inasal fell to University of Negros Occidental Polvora’s Law office, 86-79.

UNO-R outscored Fil-Sino for three quarters to take a 68-52 lead before Bmeg Mang Inasal rallied but ran out of time.

Colin Testa led Polvora balanced offensive with 15 points, Joemel Paderog scored 15, Richer Santillan shot 13 points, Tata Javillo made 11 points.

Mang Inasal was led by Robbie Jalando-on with 26 points, Carl john Oquindo added 16, and Donald Quilantang had 9 points.*with a report from Stephen Tan

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