The ASPAC Boys defeated defending champions Team Warriors, 72-62, to start the men’s division of the APCRAA Alumni Basketball Tournament 2016 season on August 6 at the APC Gymnasium.
The win by the ASPAC Boys ended the nine-game winning streak of the Warriors, dating back to the 2015 First Conference Finals.
ASPAC Boys’ new recruit Carlo Aboboto led the team with double-double performance of 21 points and 15 rebounds. Levi Pe Benito contributed 15 points and 8 rebounds. Lavesh Chadnani, who was only able to play in their initial game last conference, also had a double-double game with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
For the Warriors, the Gratil brothers, Archie and Edwin, led with 15 points each. Guess Dela Cuesta topped the rebound department with 12 boards, and contributed 7 points. George Nartia also had a good defensive night with 6 blocks.
The ASPAC Boys took control for most of the game until the Warriors reduced their lead to two points in the third quarter. The Warriors’ momentum was later doused thanks to Chadnani and VG Agdamag’s scoring run that increased the ASPAC Boys’ lead to 13.
A power failure was experienced at the 7:04 mark of the fourth quarter, causing half of the gymnasium’s lights to go off. The technical problem delayed the game for about five minutes until both team captains agreed to resume the game.
The delay didn’t stop ASPAC’s momentum and was able to increase their lead to 20 with the help of Carlo Aboboto’s three-point shots before the two minute warning.
On August 20, the ASPAC Boys will play against 2nd Conference runners-up Team OGs, while the Warriors will have the chance to tally their first win this season against Team Bumblebees.
Boxscores (click here for full stats):
ASPAC Boys (72): Aboboto 21, Pe Benito 15, Chadnani 12, Gamboa 9, Quiloy 7, Vasquez 4, Agdamag V. 2, Gonzales 2, Agdamag J. 0, Ilustre 0
Warriors (62): Gratil A. 15, Gratil E. 15, Dela Cuesta 7, Samonte 6, Jabile 6, Amparo 4, Fabila 3, Nartia 2, Nones 2, Villegas 2, Abalon 0, Evangelista 0
Quarterscores: 17-12, 34-29, 51-37, 72-62