Capital1 and Smart Sports both move to 3-1 in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Cup after big wins to open round 2 play.
The Smart Sports Scribes exacted sweet revenge against the Say Chiz Smileys, while the Capital1 Solar Boys got back on the winning track with a big victory over the Strong Group Athletics Press Row Bros to open the second round of the 2024 Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday, March 12.
After absorbing their first loss the last time out, the Solar Boys vented their ire on the Press Row Bros with an 82-63 rout, while the Sports Scribes settled an old score with a 67-61 escape over the Smileys to share the top spot in the tournament headed by PSA President Nelson Beltran of the Philippine Star.
In the first game, Capital1 shrugged off a sluggish start and relied on its defense before uncorking a 31-13 second quarter to break the game wide open.
Spitfire guard John Bryan Ulanday buried two booming triples on the way to a game-high 23 points, to go along five rebounds, and two steals. Christian Jacinto added 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the bounce back win.
Also starring for Capital1 (Team Bonilla) were Aldo Aviñante and Mark Montejo.
Avinante finished with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Montejo had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Capital1 (3-1), which is supported by Mandy and Milka Romero, Bulakan Mayor Vergel Meneses, Uratex, and Rebel Sports.
Delfin Dioquino also had himself a defensive masterclass for the Solar Boys after finishing with league season-best nine steals, to go along 13 rebounds.
The 23 points of Eugene Flores and Diego Dela Paz’ 15 points and 17 rebounds were not enough as the first win remained elusive for SGA after four games.
On the other hand, Smart fended off a late fightback from Say Chiz, with Reuben Terrado scoring six of his seven points in crunchtime to stop a 17-5 run from the Smileys, who came to within two points in the final three minutes, 57-59.
The Sports Scribes also had solid games from AJ Bolando and Jeremiah Sevilla.
Bolando scored a team-high 19 along with seven rebounds and two assists, while Sevilla scored 17 points to go with three assists to help Smart, which is backed by Danny Espiritu and Headstart Sports Academy, improve to a 3-1 record and in tie for first with Capital1.
Despite the loss, three players from Say Chiz, which fell to a 2-2 record, finished with double figures with team captain Jonas Terrado’s 21 points and 14 rebounds, Cedelf Tupas with 17 points and nine assists, and Jeric Lopez’s 16 points.
Action will continue next week Tuesday, March 19, in the same venue with Smart and Strong Group Athletics opening the doubleheader to be followed by the Capital1 Solar Boys against Say Chiz Smileys.