Opening day winners are Visminda and Cabalen

Placed behind the 8-ball at the start of the 2004 UFO-San Miguel Cup Sunday, defending champion Visminda and runner-up Cabalen executed basketball’s version of running the table as they routed separate rivals at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the first game, Cabalen unveiled a surprise package in 6’1” slotman Darwin Barbo as the Transamerica and RP Construction-backed team hacked out an impressive 103-78 win over Bicol in Group A.

Barbo, the younger brother of Cabalen sniper George, made his presence felt in the second quarter, when the team transformed a 16-18 deficit after the first quarter to a 42-36 advantage at halftime.

Cabalen extended its lead to 8 points, 67-59, as veteran big man Ronald Delos Reyes went berserk and scored 8 points in the third quarter.

The team’s most senior member and deadliest pair of shooting hands, Alex Ocampo, then found his touch in the payoff period. Ocampo unloaded 8 of his 9 total points in the final 10 minutes to tow Cabalen to the 25-point win.

The rookie Barbo was named best player of the game after leading Cabalen with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals. Five other Pampanga players finished in double figures in the game.

Bicol, which is sponsored by Sabungero Feed and Poultry Supply, was paced by high-flying Rowell Aranda’s 26 points, 12 of which came in the first quarter. Brother Reynard also chipped in 14 points in a losing cause.

Visminda, for its part, picked up where it left off and followed up its 2003 Finals win by pulverizing SMF, 97-74, in Group B action in the second game.

After battling the defending champs to a 15-15 stalemate after the first quarter, SMF’s revamped team simply conked out in the second and struggled to put points on the board.

A steady diet of outside shooting from former semi-pro Dado Vistal, the all-around play of Banjo Basila, and Ed Cosino’s inside muscle just proved too much for SMF as Visminda rested at halftime, comfortably ahead by 27 points, 50-23.

The halftime break did little to help SMF’s chances, as Visminda continued to fire on all cylinders with power forward Emil De Belen and last year’s regular season MVP Pando Muleta leading the charge. The score after the third quarter was 74-43 still overwhelmingly in favor of Visminda.

It was officially garbage time as the fourth and final quarter got underway. Visminda continued to pummel SMF even with its second stringers on the floor.

Rey Uy, a deadeye from 3-point territory, dialed up a couple of shots from rainbow zone, while best player of the game Vistal added one more for good measure.

Vistal, who wound up with 17 markers, was one of five players pumping in double-digit scores for Visminda.

Sonny Lerio was the highpoint man for SMF with 14 points. Three other teammates finished with 10 or more points.

Visminda is sponsored this year by Country House, while SMF lists Seabridge as its primary backer.

FIRST GAME

Cabalen 103 – D. Barbo 16, Alipio 13, Delos Reyes 12, Sinca 10, Arnedo 10, Magcalas 10, Ocampo 9, Mendoza 8, G. Barbo 4, Ja. Gatdula 4, Pantola 4, Salazar 2, Canlas 1.

Bicol 78 – Ro. Aranda 26, Re. Aranda 14, Vitug 13, Tabamo 13, Tabora 4, Jugos 4, Welborn 2, Capalad 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-18, 42-36, 67-59, 103-78.

SECOND GAME

Visminda 97 – Vistal 17, Uy 14, Basila 11, Cosino 11, De Belen 10, Joyner 9, Muleta 8, Domingo 7, Guinto 4, Bicera 4, Artates 2.

SMF 74 – Lerio 14, L. Itaas 12, Sison 11, Banares 11, Banatasa 8, Cayetano 7, Demegillo 3, J. Itaas 2, Pardinan 2, Apelo 2, Barctoces 2.

Scoring by quarters: 15-15, 50-23, 74-43, 97-74.