Team Knights scored a comeback victory at the expense of Team Bumblebees, 62-61, at the continuation of the APCRAA Basketball Tournament (ABT) 2018 season elimination round on Saturday, August 4 at the Asia Pacific College Gymnasium.
Knights’ team captain Jhonel De Luna led his team in scoring with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Perrenial scorer Alex Tagle tallied 16 points and 8 rebounds.
Brix Estabillo of Team Bumblebees was the game’s top scorer with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Lester de Luna comes in second with 12 points, and 15 rebounds.
Team Bumblebees were in control of the tempo most of the game and were able to register a 15-point lead in the 2nd quarter. From there, Team Knights chipped away the lead slowly and was able to gain a one-point lead by halftime.
The Bumblebees started another scoring rally at the third quarter and was able to secure a five-point lead at the end of the period. By the fourth quarter, Team Knights regained the momentum and gained a one-point cushion with 2:55 remaining. In the final two minutes, Bumblebees missed crucial shots, allowing Knights to get the victory in the slightest of margins.
During halftime, a short ceremony was done to commemorate Brix Etabillo’s career achievement for being the third player in ABT history to become part of its 500-points club. The tournament ball was presented to Estabillo by ABT Commissioner and APCRAA President Dann Garcia at center court.
Team Knights will be back in action on August 11 as they face defending champions Team ASPAC while Team Bumblebees will play on August 18 and will match up against Team Alpha.
THE SCORES (FIBA LiveStats):
KNIGHTS (62): De Luna 18, Tagle 16, Ysulan 10, Cerrado 6, Hermo JL 2, Dizon 2, Flores 0
BUMBLEBEES (61): Estabillo 20, De Luna 12, Trinidad 7, Macaspac 6, Belardo 6, Rubio 4, San Diego 2, Prion 2, Solomon 2, Grepo 0, Pring 0
QUARTERSCORES: 10-25, 30-29, 44-49, 62-61