West Negros U Mustangs gun for sweep of Bacolod basketball elims

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines - Pre-tournament pick West Negros University Mustangs gun for a sweep of its elimination round assignments Thursday when they take on Nopsscea rival University of St. La Salle Stingers, 6 p.m., at the Po Hang Gym of Bacolod Tay Tung High School. The Mustangs, mentored by Jack Tumayan with Romulo Estrebillo as team manager, are favored to take the first quarterfinal slot in this eight-team annual centerpiece event of the Negros Basketball Association (NBA) dubbed as the Mayor's Cup. WNU annexed its sixth straight win Tuesday via a 97-90 victory over hard-fighting Province of Negros Occidental once again getting the points from its triple scoring machine Vengie Vergara, Ely Olarte and Alfie Villariza who finished with 26, 24 and 21 points, respectively. The reigning Nopsscea titlists also got scoring support courtesy of Briton Javelona who chipped in with 13 while Winrich Pusoc, Vergilio Dapar, Jeff Jacinto and Raul Suyod combined for another 13 points. Province of Negros Occidental got points from former Unor Ram Joemarie Bayhon who tallied a team-high 27 points, while Marlon Talatala had 17, Mark Ramos 10, Rex Bayer 9 and Arnol Laureno 7. In Tuesday's other match-up, Coverdale Beach Resort and Pension House edged NOBC/Tough Trucks/BUS Group, 98-92, with hotshot Joe Strike hitting 29 points while Boboy Rebadonia chipped in with 23, Bobot Divinagracia 20, and Rodel Canino 12. NOBC was led by former USLS Stinger Ryan Concha who finished with 28 points, Ryan Gamboa with 13, Leo Abao 9, Robbie Jalandoon 8 and Chad Paez 7 in their losing effort. Elimination round closes on Saturday with NOBC taking on USLS at 2 p.m.; Province of Negros Occidental vs. Marwin Pawnshop at 3:45 p.m. and CSAB/JPV meeting Coverdale at 5:30 p.m. Quarterfinal round reels off Sunday at 2:30 p.m., said tournament commissioner Bobby Tee. - Sun.Star