Philhealth keeps unbeaten slate in Arena-7 hoopfest

PHILHEALTH kept its immaculate record in the 2011 Association of Regional Executives in National Agencies (ARENA)-7 basketball tournament after drubbing the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)-Cebu, 62-48, last Friday.

The victory was Philhealth’s sixth straight to grab the solo lead in Group B.

Philhealth was ahead, 38-27 at the half with bull-strong center Albert Anadon and Nigel Catao leading the charge. But BIR retaliated in the 3rd period with a fierce, 11-7 run to trim its deficit to just seven points, 38-45, heading to the final quarter.

However, Philhealth outscored BIR-Cebu in the fourth, 17-10 to post the 14-point demolition and hand the latter its first loss in the tournament.

Albert Anadon led Philhealth with a game-high 18 points while Carlo Yu added 10 markers. Cris Diamos and Allen Sorela paced BIR with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

BOX SCORES

PHILHEALTH (62)- Anadon 18, Yu 10, Yap 9, Catao 7, Sasang 5, Magallanes 4, Derder 3, Palma 2, Ornopia 2, Quiñanola 2.

BIR (48)- Diamos 11, Sorela 10, Dizon 7, Galvez 6, Bonsucan 5, Del Rosario 4, Meso 2, California 2, Detorio 2, Alburo 1.  /Correspondent Dale Rosal