The USLS Stingers came from behind to pull off its first win against UNO-R Red House Taiwan Shabu Shabu 70-62 in the 1st United Negros Basketball league (UNBL) Open Tournament on Sunday at Tay Tung High School Po Hang Gym.
UNO-R led the first quarter 19-14 behind Nico Abaquita’s 7 points. However, the offense of both teams slowed down in the next 2 quarters, with Red House still in the drivers’ seat 43-42, going to the fourth quarter.
USLS grabbed the lead temporarily, 47-45 but Red House responded with a 10-2 run behind Jan Toral’s 5 points to take the upper hand, 57-49 with 6:53 left in the game.
The entry of Andrie Dubouzet and Riggy Alinsoring ignited the USLS Stingers comeback. A stirring 13-1 run put USLS on top for good at 62-58. Dubouzet sealed the victory connecting on 4 of 4 from the charity stripe, extending the USLS lead to 66-59.
Perfect Skin Player of the Game Dubouzet paced the Stingers with 11 points, followed by Alinsoring and Keith Ortillano with 10 markers each, Lenz Catalan chipped in 7, while JJ Laborte and Ivan Macabani scored 6 points each.
UNO-R was led by Abaquita with 12 points. The trio of John Arculo, Joshua Abkilan and Elmer Orano delivered 9 points apiece and Toral, Arkel Santero and Jemwel Malojo had 5 markers each.
The commercial teams dominated by registering double-digit win margins. Acster Marketing drubbed Tea Tas/Puff Boss 102-72, Supreme ABF/SilverGraces pushed its record to 5-0 against CSA-B Let’s Go Strived 99-75, while RA-AK Transport overwhelmed LCC-B Team Davies Paint 94-69.
Acster Marketing and RA-AK Transport share second with a 4-1 win-loss slate, followed by CSA-B Let’s Go Strived at 3-2. The four teams tied at 1-4 are Tea Tas / Puff Boss, USLS Stingers, UNO-R Red House Taiwan Shabu-Shabu and LCC-B Team Davies Paint.
The final elimination playdate will be this weekend, after which the top 4 teams will advance to the crossover knockout semifinals. Supreme ABF/SilverGraces will try to sweep the elimination round to earn a twice-to-beat privilege in the semis.*
