Defending champions Team ASPAC bounced back from their first game loss against Team OGs by defeating Team Alpha, 103-85 at the continuation of the 2018 season of the APCRAA Basketball Tournament (ABT) eliminations on Saturday, July 14 at the Asia Pacific College Gymnasium.
Last year’s Most Improved Player, Levi Pe Benito recorded the third triple-double in ABT history with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Reigning Most Valuable Player Mark Pagaduan led ASPAC in scoring with 28 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists. Jopet Gamboa also had a good game, scoring 26 points, with 14 rebounds and 5 assists.
Alpha’s prized rookie Jap Puente continued his excellent performance from their last game vs. Team Knights, finising with 37 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. New recruit Ian Baluyut and team captain Dave Perez added 14 points each for their team’s output.
Team Alpha got the early head-start and set the game’s tempo in the first quarter. However, Team ASPAC managed to bounce back by the second period, leading by as many as 22 points. While Team Alpha reduced the lead to 7 points with a 15-0 run before halftime, by the start of the third period, ASPAC broke the game wide open and held on to the lead at the final buzzer.
Team ASPAC will be back in action on July 28 against team 2k15 while Team Alpha will be facing Team Titans on July 21.
THE SCORES (FIBA LiveStats):
ALPHA (85): Puente 37, Baluyut 14, Perez 14, Magsalos 13, Lavarro 3, Lim 2, Yap Seng 2, Dagatan 0, Caranto 0
ASPAC (103): Pagaduan 28, Gamboa 26, Pe Benito 15, Chandnani 15, Conta 13, Ilustre 6, Magbitang 0,Gonzales 0
QUARTERSCORES: 21-29, 43-50, 61-76, 85-103