Warriors survive ASPAC Boys comeback en route to title defense

Team Warriors survived a fourth quarter run by ASPAC Boys, 65-62, on Saturday, December 5, to advance to the championship round of the 2015 APCRAA Alumni Basketball Tournament (AABT) 2nd Conference men’s division playoffs at the APC Gymnasium.

This gives the Warriors the opportunity to defend their First Conference crown against Team OGs in this tournament’s finals on December 12.

Guess Dela Cuesta led all of the Warriors in scoring, with 16 points, plus 11 rebounds. Pepe Canseco grabbed the most rebounds in the game with 17 boards, plus 3 assists and 3 steals.

Meanwhile, VG Agdamag of ASPAC Boys had his usual numbers: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, plus 2 steals. Levi Pebenito had his career game with a double-double output of 16 points and 13 rebounds, plus 3 assists and two steals.

The Warriors were leading for the whole game, reaching as high as 19 points in the second quarter. But a late 12-4 run by the ASPAC Boys after a platoon substitution by Team Warriors decreased their lead to four points, with 34 seconds left in the game.

After a Warriors turnover, Art Plan and Levi Pebenito tried to decrease the lead further with a three-point shot but both attempts missed.

Boxscores (click here for full stats):

Warriors (65): Dela Cuesta 16, Villegas 11, Gratil 11, Castillan 8, Amparo 6, Battung 6, Fabila 3, Samonte 3, Canseco 1, Nartia 0, Perez 0, Monera 0

ASPAC Boys (62): Pebenito 16, Agdamag 13, Vasquez 10, Plan 7, Santos 6, Magbitang 6, Radana 2, Dadula 2, Vejano 0, Gonzales 0