POSTED BY: Eurobasket Center
Toyota Ol'Aces I emerged victorious in the battle of the unbeatens last Wednesday night in the 2nd BANMI Budweiser Cup, working relentlessly on both ends of the floor and getting a balanced scoring attack to defeat powerhouse APC Brothers, 102-93, at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
The two clubs, both entering with a five-game win streak on the line, battled vigorously from start to finish, giving the audience a preview of how the playoffs might taste like.
The two teams were separated by just five points at the end of the first quarter, 30-25 in favor of the Ol'Aces, but as the first half worked towards being officially over, the Brothers hung around and inched their way to within three points, 45-48.
Veteran Tony Diaz was the leadman for the Brothers, going off for 13 points in the half while forward John Santos paced the Ol'Aces with 14 points.
Despite the intensity already at a high level, it continued to rise at the start of the third stanza as both teams fought hard, determined to walk away the victor.
The Brothers would tie and grab favor on several occasions, but each time the Ol'Aces players were able to respond and regain advantage.
The highlight came from youngster Oscar Ada, who took off for an open court breakaway and brought the crowd to its feet with a monstrous dunk. Unshaken, the Ol'Aces I kept their composure and leaned on the hot shooting of guard Junior Renguul, who torched the net for 10 points after the dunk to keep his squad ahead.
The Ol'Aces led 77-75 as the quarter-ending buzzer sounded.
With only 10 minutes remaining, the Brothers again maneuvered themselves the best they could in hopes of pulling even. Like in the third, they equaled the Ol'Aces scoring production, but weren't able to capitalize on several key plays, resulting in the Toyota-sponsored team to bust ahead for a double-digit lead.
Camacho brothers Abong and Peter tormented their opponents with a combined 17 points in the dying minutes, sparking a 12-2 run that sealed the win.
Santos and Abong finished with 19 points apiece, while Peter and Renguul added 15 and 14 to lead the Ol'Aces. Elias Rangamar also chipped in with 11 points.
Fred Pelisamen led the Brothers with 26 points, while Tony Diaz and Ada added 24 and 14 points.
Earlier, Diablo picked up another win after beating the Sun Devils, 69-61.
Other action from last week includes the Kagman Cougars edging Verizon Lebwel, 97-89, and the San Vicente Sunrisers slipping by the Ol'Aces II, 80-77.
Friday
First game
Cougars 97-Muleta 26, Lizama 18, Arnedo 17, Artates 10, Garcia 8, Aspuria 6, Domingo 6, Mesa 4, Acosta 2.
Lebwel 89-B. Pelisamen 40, Camacho 26, R. Pelisamen 14, Taitano 9.
Scoring by quarters: 22-20, 47-28, 73-51, 97-89.
Second game
Sunrisers 80-Wallace 25, Peters 14, John 12, Castro 10, McDaniel 7, Joyner 5, J. Quitugua 3, Guerrero 2, R. Quitugua 2, Jesse 2.
Ol'Aces II 77-Olaitiman 23, Chong 11, Seman 9, Tagabuel 7, Lee 7, Palacios 7, Ogumoro 5, Taisacan 4, Odoshi 2, Dillay 2.
Scoring by quarters: 18-13, 40-26, 58-48, 80-77.
Wednesday
First game
Diablo 69-D. Sablan 21, Masga 19, J. Sablan 11, S. Rasa 6, J. Sablan 6, P. Rasa 4, Wesley 2.
Sun Devils 61-Ouimette 21, Lashley 11, Nickerman 9, Stevens 6, Berline 5, Andrew 4, Blundin 2, Gross 2, Weindl 1.
Scoring by quarters: 22-21, 34-31, 50-48, 69-61.
Second game
Ol'Aces 102-A. Camacho 19, Santos 19, P. Camacho 15, Renguul 14, Rangamar 11, Mendoza 9, Iginoef 7, White 2, Celes 2, Ogumoro 2.
Brothers 93-Pelisamen 26, Tony Diaz 24, Ada 14, Alegre 12, E. Diaz 3, Garcia 3, Ito 2, Tom Diaz 2.
Scoring by quarters: 30-25, 48-45, 77-75, 102-93.
