Dumanjug nears historic Calderon Cup crown

Sports

PLAYING in an hostile environment didn’t stop Dumanjug from coming away with a critical win as it nipped host team Malabuyoc, 90-77, in Game 1 of their Best-of-Three Finals in the 1st Calderon Cup 21 Under Inter-Town Basketball Tournament on Friday night, May 8, at the Malabuyoc Sports Complex in southern Cebu.

The dominant performance shoved Dumanjug to a win away from becoming the tournament’s inaugural champion. The team can achieve the feat when it hosts Game 2 on Saturday night, May 9, at the Jose Macoy Astrodome.

Interestingly, it was at the Jose Macoy Astrodome that the tournament had its grand opening ceremony and could also end at the same venue in what has been a successful inaugural edition of the grassroots project by Cebu 7th District Rep. Patricia “Patsy” Calderon.

Turning in a solid performance for Dumanjug was Jhun Miguel Telmo, who tallied 19 points and 18 rebounds. TJ Tejedor tossed in 18 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals while Cleveron Jay Fernandez dumped 10 points, two rebounds, three assists, one steal, and two blocks.

Carl Escuadro and Ruben Letigno added a combined 17 points, which took control of the match behind a stellar performance in the first half.

Dumanjug closed the first quarter with a 28-21 lead and padded the advantage to 46-35 at the bend. It was also Dumanjug from that point on as the lead ballooned to as high as 20 points in the second half.

Jayson Cabrera topped Malabuyoc with 19 points on top of four rebounds, one assist, and three steals. Jake Leo Quim added 17 points, nine rebounds, six assists and a steal. Joseph Velarde collected 14 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block while John Anthony Ponce wound up with 11 markers.(CCM)