WNU Mustangs tame UNOR Rams in Negros cage tournament

BACOLOD CITY – In what must have been their first official game and victory as the West Negros University Mustangs, the reigning NOPSSCEA champions showcased their mastery of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos/CEGASCO Rams last Tuesday in the second playing date of the ongoing 2008 NBA Mayor's Cup Summer Basketball Tournament at the Po Hang Gym of Bacolod Tay Tung High School. Former Monico Cup 19-Under MVP Ely Olarte exploded with 39 points including ten treys to lead the Mustangs onslaught. Olarte got scoring support from two other ex-Monico Cup MVPs-Alfie Villariza with 14 and Vengie Vergara with 11. Also contributing to the Mustangs solid offensive thrust were big man Jason Melarin with 10 while Briton Javelona, another former Monico Cup MVP, Vergilio Dapar and Winrich Pusoc combined with another 17 points for the win. Underscoring the dominance of former Monico Cup standouts in the lineups of Bacolod Varsity Squads, Bacolod Bata's Joemel Paderog, another Monico Cup ex-MVP, posted 14 points behind Arnold Gono's team-high 19. In Tuesday's other matchup, Province of Negros Occidental edged NOBC/Tough Truck/BUS Group, 69-63, behind the guns of former varsity standouts Joemarie Bayhon, 17, Rex Bayer 16 and Marlon Tala 14 while NOBC was led by Ryan Gamboa with 12, Sillana 10, 8 from Ryan Concha and 7 apiece from Chad Paez and Millevo. On opening day last Sunday, April 20, Province of Negros Occidental prevailed over UNOR-CEGASCO, 74-67, with Ruth Angeli Tan of Coverdale Resort named as Miss NBA Mayor's Cup 2006 during the opening ceremonies while Joyce Ann Jimenea of Marwin Pawnshop was named 1st Runnerup from among the muses of the eight participating teams. Today's schedule pits University of St. La Salle versus Marwin Pawnshop at 6:00pm followed by the 7:45pm clash between JPV and NOBC/Tough Truck/BUS Group. - Henry Villalva, Sun.Star Bacolod