POSTED BY: Eurobasket Center
The top two teams in the ongoing 2nd BANMI Budweiser Cup continued to have their ways on the hard court, picking up impressive victories at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
Last Monday, the Toyota Ol'Aces I made it 10-for-10 this season after holding off a late charge by the San Vicente Sunrisers for a 91-75 victory.
The two teams were in for a tough night as both found themselves neck-and-neck for most parts of the match.
The Ol'Aces I entered with their game faces on and built a respectable lead in the opening quarter, but the Sunrisers fought back and cut the deficit to a single point at the sound of the buzzer, 25-24.
The Ol'Aces I kicked into higher gear in the second stanza and outscored their opponents, 25-16, to take a 10-point cushion in halftime, 50-40. Peter Camacho and Elias Saralu worked for 6 points apiece to spearhead Toyota's attack while Mark Wallace and Jerome Reyes matched their effort for the Sunrisers.
The lead continued to grow in the early moments of the third period, but a spurt by Wallace and slotman Jawn Joyner enabled the San Vicente squad to keep in striking distance.
Wallace and Joyner continued to find success in the opening minutes of the final quarter, resulting in the Sunrisers to pull to within four points, but that was as close as they got as Camacho came through with clutch shots down the stretch to propel the Ol'Aces I lead back up to double figures.
Camacho finished with a game-high 26 points while Saralu contributed with 12 points for the Ol'Aces I. Playmaker Elias Rangamar and center Abong Camacho also added 10 points apiece.
Wallace led the Sunrisers with 24 points while Joyner and Reyes supported with 18 points apiece.
Earlier in the evening, the Ol'Aces II posted a 32-25 lead against the Kagman Cougars when action was halted due to a power outage. The game will be continued on a later date.
Last Friday, the APC Brothers had a huge first quarter performance from veteran Ed Diaz and notched their eighth win in nine chances with a 91-72 victory over the Sun Devils.
Diaz was in a zone of his own in the first 10 minutes of play, going off for 16 points, six of them coming from beyond the three-point arc. With that, the Brothers outscored their opponents, 25-19, for an early advantage.
The APC squad matched their opening effort, adding another 25 points to their corner, and led 50-40 at the break after holding the Sun Devils to 21 points.
Tony Diaz then broke loose for 12 points in the final two periods as the Brothers widened their lead and were never really threatened.
Ed Diaz finished with a team-high 20 points while Tony Diaz and Sivas Awes poured in 19 and 14 points. Fred Pelisamen and Oscar Ada also chipped in with 10 points apiece.
Eric Weiman topped all scorers with 21 points while Luke Nickerman and Josh Stephens added 13 and 11 points for the Sun Devils.
Later in the night, the Cougars picked up a win without even breaking a sweat as Diablo failed to suit up enough players for their match.
Monday
Ol'Aces I 91-P. Camacho 26, Saralu 12, Rangamar 10, A. Camacho 10, Iginoef 7, Renguul 6, Ogumoro 6, Tagabuel 6, Celes 5, White 3.
Sunrisers 75-Wallace 24, Joyner 18, Reyes 18, J. Quitugua 9, Guerrero 4, Peters 2.
Scoring by quarters: 25-24, 50-40, 68-60, 91-75.
Friday
Brothers 91-E. Diaz 20, T. Diaz 19, Awes 14, Pelisamen 12, Ada 10, Garcia 8, Alegre 3, J. Diaz 3, Ito 2.
Sun Devils 72-Weiman 21, Nickerman 13, Stephens 11, Blondin 8, Gross 7, Andrew 6, Lashley 4, Weindl 2.
Scoring by quarters: 25-19, 50-40, 71-55, 91-72.
