Basketball standouts Nonilon Pedriña of Singcang-Airport and Tangub's Alfie Villariza shared the spotlight on a glorious June afternoon last year as they hoisted their Monico Cup MVP trophies.

They not did carry their trophies yesterday but their performances in carrying their respective teams to victory were nothing short of MVP-like.

Pedriña shot 36 points as 26-Under titlist Brgy. Singcang-Airport shrugged off a rusty start to drub Brgy. Bata, 86-72, at the start of hostilities Monico Cup at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center in Bacolod City.

Villariza, the 19-Under MVP last year, played with great resolve in his debut in the older division as Tangub scored a 77-68 trouncing of Brgy. Banago. Brgy. Tangub turned back Brgy. 2, 62-54, to jumpstart its title-retention bid in the 19-Under category.

Banking on a balanced offense attack and stingy defense, the Singcang-Airport cagers overhauled a 31-44 deficit at halftime to erect a 63-58 lead. Reigning 26-Under MVP Nunilon Pedriña had a sensational start to his campaign, sizzling for 28 of his 34 points in the second half to carry Singcang to its first win.

After Bata reclaimed the advantage at 67-65 with seven minutes left, the reed-thin Pedriña once again carried his team on his back as he spearheaded Singcang-Airport's 19-3 run by amassing 14 points during the crucial stretch for a comfortable 84-72 advantage with 1:08 left.

Pedriña also hit three three-point shots during the run that sealed the victory for the defending champions. Singcang-Airport connected on a total seven three-point attempts in the second half, with three coming from Elmer Antonio.

Singcang-Airport coach Sanz Valache said the keys to their victory were their persistent attack on offense and trapping defense.

Antonio contributed 17 markers. Also posting solid numbers for Singcang-Airport were Brian Samodio and Jeffrey Togle as they canned 10 and 9 points, respectively.

Tortolino Morales topscored for Bata with 14 points as Jay Balong registered 13 points. Mark Sison and Gerald Templado chipped in 11 and 8 markers, respectively.

Tangub also got solid contributions from Elmer Bolivar and Joven Fernandez who added 11 and 8 points, respectively. Martin Duff scored 16 points.

Pacing Banago in a losing effort was Jerfen Dullesco as he posted 19 points, while Nimrod Aleguin canned 16 markers. Joevin Pavillo added 12 points.

In the 19-Under game, Jay Uy, skipper of the West Negros College secondary boys' basketball team, led Tangub with 11 points, while Rolly Jaca added 7 points in the low-scoring encounter. *CIT

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