Chase Tower Runs (CTR) sent a powerful message to the rest of the Cebu City Christmas League, claiming the tournament's solo top spot after a decisive 87–76 victory over the visiting Blancas Golden Knights. The pivotal match took place on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the City Sports Institute Gym, marking CTR's second consecutive win.
Dynamic Duo Reunites for CTR
The game highlighted the impactful debut of UAAP scoring champion Nic Cabanero for CTR. Teaming up once again with star point guard Jared Bahay, their chemistry provided a significant boost for coach Paul Joven's squad. Interestingly, the last time Cabanero and Bahay shared the court was a decade ago, as elementary students playing for the University of San Carlos Basic Education team in Milo Best–SBP and Passerelle tournaments.
Their former coach, Alimski Largo, fondly recalled their early days. "Yes, that was the last time. They were still very young then, and I think Jared was the youngest among them at the age of nine. They would even cry back then whenever they lost," Largo shared, emphasizing how far the players have come.
Game Breakdown: CTR's Commanding Performance
CTR established control early, heading into halftime with a 43–34 advantage. The second half saw the team widen the gap dramatically, fueled by the offensive efforts of Emman Calo and Roger Rocacurva. Their relentless attack from various angles stretched the lead to a game-high 17 points at 66–49, a run capped by a stylish reverse layup from Cabanero.
From that moment, CTR never relinquished control, maintaining pressure to secure the win and hand the Blancas Golden Knights their first loss in three tournament outings. Emman Calo led all scorers with 20 points, while Roger Rocacurva added 12. Nic Cabanero contributed a solid 8 points and 4 rebounds in his debut.
Ritchie Boy Ballers Dominate in Earlier Matchup
In an earlier game, the young Ritchie Boy Ballers made a strong statement by overpowering the veteran Mighty Warriors, 95–75. The Ballers, featuring several collegiate players from Cebu, dominated from the opening tip, building a 29-17 first-quarter lead.
The story of the game was sharpshooter Ricofer Sordilla, who caught fire from beyond the arc. Sordilla drained an impressive eight three-pointers on his way to a 30-point performance, powering the Ballers to their first win in three games.
"I hope that in the next game, we can maintain our consistency. Hopefully, we will win on Saturday," said a hopeful Ritchie Boy team manager Earl Taborada, looking ahead to their clash with Welec Trucking Services.
With this victory, CTR solidifies its position as a serious championship contender. The team now looks ahead to its next challenge, aiming for a third straight win against the star-laden Welec Trucking Services to further cement its lead in the Cebu City Christmas League.
