OBI Knights squeaked past KDR Perfecto, 82-81, for their first victory in the 1st United Negros Basketball League 25-under open tournament during the games last Sunday at the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Po Hang Gym.
Meanwhile, with USLS-Fyr Fyter enjoying a bye day, Davies Paints Phils. and Royal Star Transport moved up to 4-0 to stay atop the 9 team standings.
Louie Villarosa engineered a KDR rally in the fourth quarter as he scored 8 points to overturn a 74-65 deficit down to a solitary point, courtesy of a Reynold Artesano triple. The OBI Knights however responded with an Edwin Madrileno breakaway layup to win the game under 30 seconds to go.
KDR Perfecto held a slim 45-43 advantage at the break as Artesano and Cloyd Seballos scored 12 and 11 points, respectively, while Adrian Alagaban carried the scoring load for Obi Knights with all of his 21 points coming in the first half.
Jerry Puyong and Madrileno scored 12 and 6 points, respectively, to give OBI Knights a 9-point cushion heading into the payoff quarter
Backstopping Alagaban, were Puyong – 17 points, Madrileno – 14, Christian Nobleza – 8, Edgar Calpes and Malayas – 6 each.
Ceballos registered a game high 25 points for KDR, followed by Artesano – 16, Villarosa – 14, and Sweet Nemenzo – 7.
JSY Transport Elmer Orano sizzled for 35 markers but his stellar performance was for naught as they fell short against Davies Paints Phils., 82-80. Mark Dubouzet dropped 19 points in the 1st half, with Ken Jay Sarco and John Louie Mermida adding 13 and 9, respectively, to establish a 54-39 halftime lead.
JSY Transport started to make its move in the 3rd quarter as Jaypee Garbiel and Orano conspired for 14 points to cut the deficit to 67-55 going into the fourth.
In the payoff quarter, Orano teamed up with Bonbrix Balontong for 15 points, but time was not on their side as their rally fell short.
Dubouzet connected on 5 triples to finish with 27, followed by Sarco – 16, Mermida connected on 4 triples for 12, and Timothy Villanueva – 6. Gabriel added 14, and Janrey Marmito had 6 for JSY Transport.
Colegio De San Agustin/ Strived Sportswear notched its second win at the expense of JeyDI K Waterproffing 85-68.
Mycco Deposoy and Kenneth Malazarte tallied 17 points apiece to lead Strived, Carl Estampador and Rowel Negro unloaded 16 each, AJ Ondon – 6, Jenri Duterte, Jemer Cepriano, and Fulgen Paderog produced 5 points apiece.
Royal Star Trading dominated Visayan Maritime Academy end to end for a 102-76 win.
A balanced RST offense was led by Rafael Catalonia with 19, John Lloyd Licawan -12, Reymart Carano-o and Philip John Majometano – 10 each, Jeorem Cabaylo – 9, Justine Jay Ragay and Mel Brandon Berrueda – 8 points each, and Saldy Christopher Macabato produced 7 points.
Albert Urbanozo spearheaded VMA with 14 points, John Paul Amante – 11, Kert Roland Sanchez – 10 pts, and the troika of Mark Angelo Gatinao, Jeric Magada, and Robert Matti contributed 8 points apiece.*
