Cookies rout Game 1, hand Knights’ first loss

Cookies & Team took the APCRAA Basketball Tournament (ABT) Men’s Division finals series opener, beating Team Knights, 76-62, on Saturday, October 5, at the Asia Pacific College Gymnasium.

Guess dela Cuesta exploded for 21 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks while Archie Gratil added 11 points and 11 rebounds to lead Cookies, which established its biggest advantage, 64-48 in the fourth canto.

Cookies was behind for the most part of the first half, and their team captain Brix Estabillo got injured before the end of the first quarter. Then, they unleashed a 8-0 run to post a 10-point cushion before the end of the third quarter. They did not look back since, pushing the lead up to 16 points in the final quarter.

Knights perennial scorer Nonoy Sonbise scored 20 points and grabbed 4 rebounds while team captain Jhonel de Luna had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Reigning MVP Mark River had a double-double game of 11 points and 15 rebounds.

Game 2 is set at the APC Gymnasium on Sunday, October 12, 7:00pm after the ABT Annual Awards for the Women’s Division.

THE SCORES:

KNIGHTS (62): Sonbise 20, De Luna 19, Rivera 11, Hermo JL 4, Dionisio 3, Vizconde 3, Brioso 2, Olores 0, Cerrado 0, Banua D 0, Banua M 0

COOKIES & TEAM (76): Dela Cuesta 21, Ringor 13, Gratil 11, Prion 11, De Luna M 8, Estabillo 4, Canseco 4, San Diego 2, De Guzman 2, Rubio 0, Trinidad 0, Villas 0

QUARTERSCORES: 16-11, 34-34, 48-60, 62-76

REFEREES: R. Francisco, J. Uy, M. Rentoria

FIBA LiveStats: https://www.fibalivestats.com/u/APC/1377484