The Cebu City Christmas League tipped off with electrifying action as Welec Trucking Services outlasted the gritty Mighty Warriors of God, 98-91, in a thrilling showdown on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the City Sports Institute Gym. The victory was spearheaded by a stellar performance from hometown favorite Jonathan Moses Manalili, who sent the packed crowd into a frenzy.
Manalili Takes Over in Crunch Time
For most of the game, the Mighty Warriors, led by Shaquille Imperial and Jaybie Mantilla, held control. They maintained a lead for over three quarters and were ahead 86-84 with just five minutes left on the clock. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Manalili took charge. The Cebuano guard scored consecutive baskets against tight defense and orchestrated the offense with precision, sparking the decisive run for Welec.
An 8-0 surge, capped by Manalili's fast-break finishes and a key basket from JZ Dizon, propelled Welec into the lead for good. Mantilla had a chance to tie the game at 92-all in the final 1:26 but missed a crucial free throw, leaving his team trailing by one. That miss marked the end of the Mighty Warriors' resistance, as they failed to score again for the remainder of the contest.
Key Contributors and Box Score Highlights
Jonathan Moses Manalili led all Welec players with a stat line of 19 points, six assists, and five rebounds. He was ably supported by big man Cedric Ablaza, who dominated the paint with an impressive 18 points and 18 rebounds. The backcourt duo of Gab Cometa and Reinhard Jumamoy also delivered, scoring 15 and 14 points respectively, with Jumamoy connecting on four three-pointers.
For the valiant Mighty Warriors, Shaquille Imperial top-scored with 17 points, followed by Jaybie Mantilla's 16. Bernie Brigondo and Vincent Menguito contributed 13 and 11 points apiece in the losing effort.
Other League Action: Blancas Holds Off Richie Boy Ballers
In the other opening day matchup, the visiting Blancas squad secured a hard-fought 93-88 victory over the Richie Boy Ballers. Rey Anthony Peralta led Blancas with 16 points, while Limuel Tampus and Norris Dave Arana added 14 each.
The Richie Boy Ballers, a team composed of stars from the UV Green Lancers and UC Webmasters, were powered by Ivan Clark Alsola's game-high 24 points. Charles Libatog and Raul Gentallan scored 13 and 10 points, respectively.
The exciting opening day has set a high standard for the Cebu City Christmas League, with fans already eagerly anticipating the next round of games.
