CEBUANO stalwart Reed Juntilla showcased his veteran chops as he helped lead the Bataan Risers to an 84-65 victory over the Bacolod Master Sardines in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season at the Valenzuela Astrodome on Tuesday evening, October 8, 2019.
The 35-year old Juntilla, recently traded from Zamboanga to Bataan in exchange for budding star Alvin Pasaol, recorded 21 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals to help the Risers improve to an even 8-8 (win-loss).
The University of the Visayas product also got plenty of help from the likes of John Villarias who had 24 points, seven boards and four assists, and yet another Cebuano in big man Alfred Batino who hauled 11 rebounds to go with his six points, two assists, a steal and a block.
Bataan held a 39-25 lead at halftime but Bacolod trimmed it down to just four, 52-56, at the onset of the fourth canto. However, Bataan answered with a 17-3 run anchored on the shotmaking of Juntilla and Villarias to pull away, 73-55, and eventually claim the victory.
The game actually showcased the talents of eight players who either hail from Cebu or was a product of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi). These were two-time Cesafi Most Valuable Player award-winners Macmac Tallo and Enrico Llanto, Bernie Bregondo, Joseph Nalos, Jerick Canada, Jess Mar Villahermosa, Juntilla and Batino. (VoxPop Cebu)
