Ceres Liners overpowered Toyota Bacolod-Iloilo Warriors, 95-84, last night to complete a three-game sweep of the opening round of the 2006 Negros Basketball Association-Mayor's Cup Summer Open Basketball Tournament in front of a big crowd at the Po Hang Gym of Bacolod Tay Tung High School.

The Ceres stalwarts, mentored by Oscar Aquino, grabbed the solo lead with a 3-0 slate, while Toyota suffered its first loss in three games.

In the first game, Sipalay All-Stars nipped JS Shell, 80-77, to barge into the win column. Sipalay improved to 1-2, while JS Shell, bannered by University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos cagers, dropped to 0-3.

Ceres opened the fourth quarter with a 17-4 run relying on its precise perimeter attack and scrappy defense to establish a comfortable 83-64 buffer with 5:35 remaining after having a 66-60 lead at the end of the third period.

Former Colegio de San Agustin-Bacolod standouts Edcil Ray Quizan and Raymund Ilagan played vital roles during the crucial stretch as they scored 6 and 4 points, respectively.

Ceres also connected on three three-point shots during the decisive run with two coming from Quizan and one from Jhonson Salazar. Ilagan powered Ceres in the payoff period with 10 points.

Another former CSA-B dribbler, Christian Antiporda triggered the spark for Ceres in the late stages of the third quarter as he canned six straight points with 35 seconds left in the period to give his squad a 66-57 lead.

Ilagan topscored for Ceres with 17 points, while Antiporda and Joemel Garrido finished with 16 and 13 points, respectively. Also making solid contributions for Ceres were Quizan and ex-Negros Carlos Sayon and Leo-Bat-og as they combined for 26 points.

Spearheading the John Trompeta-mentored Toyota squad was Eldrin Señeres with 32 points, while Rhagnee Sinco and Denself Sina-on poured in 15 and 13 markers, respectively. Roel Balgos and Paul Ian Poral combined for 15 points.

Sipalay, coached by Rex Bayer, banked on the offensive prowess of Arnold Laurenio and Rodel Canino who amassed 23 and 20 points, respectively, to emerge victorious over JS Shell.

The trio of Adamson standout Roel Hugnatan, Marlon Tala-tala and Roel Cagayao also posted solid numbers for Sipalay as they combined for 24 points.

Pacing JS Shell in a losing effort was Arnold Gono, who canned 12 points, while Eduardo Combong and Jason Villarin chipped in 11 and 10, respectively. *CIT

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