BOKOD DEALS LT1 FIRST LOSS, TAKES COMMAND OF YAP CUP

October 7, 2023 Community Billboard Sports

PHOTO CAPTION: THE BEST. Bokod defeated erstwhile leader La Trinidad 1, 83-77, to
remain the only unbeaten in the Yap Cup.

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LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

Bokod is the only unbeaten team in the Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup after beating erstwhile leader La Trinidad 1, 83-77, at the municipal gym here Thursday night. John Ric Buenaventura delivered 22 points to lead Bokod. But it was the sniping of Darwin Fernandez which
bailed the team after trailing by as much as eight with La Trinidad 1 seemingly on cruise to win its ninth victory that will assure its top seed billing in the quarterfinals.

Fernandez made 18 markers, on on top of nine rebounds, two assists and a single steal, but he was at the forefront of a strong fourth quarter storm of the visitors. “Coach told me to be just confident in my shooting,” said the former Cordillera Career Development College guard. “Breaks of the game, we were able to anticipate their move,” said captain Jovencio Caleno. Caleno had an inspired
game with 15 markers along with Gabino.

June Rey Buenaventura, meanwhile, scored only four points but had 17 rebounds as Bokod improved to 6-0, now the only unbeaten team. Kean Zachary Diaz led Trinidad 1 with 13 points, while Armando Pollante, who waa limping with an injury, had 12 and Rey Ulep added 10. Itogon, meanwhile assumed third spot after beating Sablan 96-79 also Thursday and improved to 6-2, half a point ahead of the idle Tuba.

Last Tuesday in Kapangan, Marc Candido had a double-double, 24 points and 14 rebounds to lead Bakun past Tublay, 74-70, for a 1-3 slate to tie Mankayan at seventh spot. Tublay dropped to 2-4 and at seventh spot. Host Kapangan bested the visiting Kibungan, 90-76, to improve to 3-3 and a tie at sixth spot with Buguias (2-2). Last Saturday at the Tuba municipal gym, Trinidad 1
cl9bbered Kibungan, 138-66; Buguias nipped Sablan, 99-96; Kapangan moved past Tublay,
92-85; Itogon mangled Atok, 103-85; and host Tuba escaped Trinidad 2, 96-89.

Last Sunday at the Benguet State University here, Bakun was humbled by Bokod, 59-116; Buguias edged Kabayab, 68-66; Itogon shuckled Trinidad 2; Tublay got the better of Sablan, 73-66; and, Trinidad 1 smothered Kapangan, 92-57.

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