Acster Marketing slipped past RA-AK Transport 74-71 in the 1st United Negros Basketball League (UNBL) Open Tournament on Sunday at the Tay Tung High School Po Hang Gymnasium.
Acster Marketing’s Medo Tosh Sesay broke the deadlock on a strong layup drive and followed it up in the ensuing play with a pinpoint assist to corner for a Jonathan Gantalao dagger triple to give the team a 74-69 advantage with 2:20 left in the game.
That was the last point scored by Acster but it didn’t matter as RA-AK was unable to take advantage, with the final 2 points coming from a dunk by Emmanuel Ojoula.
Earlier in the game, Acster held a 57-54 advantage at the end of the 3rd canto, but veteran Mark Yee proved to be crafty with his offense and put backs as he scored 10 of RA-AK Transport’s next 13 points, giving his team a 67-61 lead with 5:41 left. Acster however recovered quickly, as Aldwin Alday, Sesay and Gantalao took turns in attacking the hoop to tie the game.
When Yee was pulled out for a brief rest with 4:41 left in the game, the 2-minute break proved costly as Acster continued to ride its momentum for a 7-2 run.
Sesay delivered a game-high 27 points, followed by Gantalao with 13, Alday – 12 and Ikeh – 7.
Ojoula paced RA-AK with 15 markers, Yee added 14, Mon Lustria – 9, Mark De La Cruz – 8, Jan Nermal – 7 and Carl Magbanua – 6.
In the other game, CSA-B/Let’s Go Strived escaped the USLS Stingers, 69-66, for its 3rd straight win.
It was a nip and tuck battle as CSA-B had an early double digit lead, but USLS rallied twice and even took the lead in the 4th quarter after Andrei Dubouzet knocked down back to back triples to give the Stingers a 64-60 advantage. However, Let’s Go Strived tightened up their defense and responded with a 9-0 outburst to stay undefeated in the tourney.
Arnaud Noah led CSA-B with 21 points, Jemer Cepriano – 16 pts, Rowel Negro – 11, Mico Exaltado – 8 and EJ Bautista – 6.
The Stingers were led by Dubouzet’s 18 points, followed by JJ Laborte’s 8 and Terence Buenafe and Andrew Velasco delivered 7 markers each.
UNO-R Red House Taiwan Shabu Shabu notched its first victory at the expense of an undermanned Tea Tas/Puff Boss, 104-87
Jemwel Maligo and Joshua Abkilan conspired for 20 points apiece for UNO-R, Nico Abaquita contributed 17, Fritz Valencia – 13, Fritz Tagamolila and Sean Sesaldo – 7 each and Arkel Santero – 6.
Tea Tas played with only 8 players, led by 32 points from Kingpee De La Cruz. Junior Essaka added 24, Alvin Jamora – 10, Warren Alintano and Jessmar Iwarata – 6 points apiece.
Perfect Skin Player of the Game Stefano Ayuno scored 26 to lead Supreme ABF / SilverGraces to its 3rdvictory against LCC-B Team Davies Paint, 88-75.
Joining Ayuno were Ritcher Santillan’s 17 points while JP Longa knocked down 4 triples for 15 pts, Jaycee Adjei – 9, Kim Dimaranan – 8, and Charry Cadase – 7.
LCC-B was led by Kenjay Sarco with 11 points, Peewee Demonteverde – 10, Sweet Nemenzo – 8 and Kent Macalalag – 7. *
