Cura-cee stops Mustangs in Baguio City Cup

CURA-CEE used its accurate sniping from the three point territory in defeating the Mustangs, 91-81, Monday evening at the Easter College gym in bracket A of the ongoing Baguio Day Cup.

Led by Jao Estrada’s game high of 29 points, including seven triples, Cura-cee came up with huge baskets in the second half after the Mustang used a strong rally in the second period in a see-saw battle.

Leading all the way from the opening buzzer, Cura-cee immediately took a 22-12 edged at the close of the opening quarter but the Mustangs took a 16-2 run and seize the lead at the 4:16 mark of the second period and lead by as much as four, 24-28.

But the lead did not last long for the Mustangs, as Cura-cee came up with a 12-4 run of their own and close the first half with a 36-30 advantage.

Cura-cee’s lead was never threatened in the second half as it took control of the ball game and posted a double-digit advantage in the third quarter, 44-32, with 8:20 remaining in the quarter, while their biggest came in the 6:10 minute mark of the quarter, 50-43.

The Mustangs never recovered from the third quarter fall-out and was even buried 20 points down by Cura-cee with 6:20 remaining in the final canto of the ball game, 78-58.

Estrada’s 29 points also came in with nine rebounds and two assists while fellow Cura-cee baller Ben Gaspar added 12 points in the ball game.

In bracket D, Jovencio Caleno’s double-double effort did not go to waste as he led New Benguet Fresh to a 73–57 victory against Teacher’s Camp also at the Easter College.

From the opening to the closing buzzer, the NBF squad took a 40–24 halftime lead before closing out the game against their younger counterpart with Caleno’s 16 points, 14 rebounds and one each for steal, assist and a block.

In bracket E, Los Mineros opened their campaign with a 64-58 drubbing of the Wolverines led by Arnold Siblag’s 21 points, six rebounds and three blocks. (Roderick Osis)

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on August 10, 2011.