MANILA – Filipino team Shawarma Shack Pilipinas and Malaysian outfit MBC Kirin scored victories on the opening night of the AsiaBasket International Championship on Easter Sunday at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Shawarma Shack prevailed in the tournament opener after beating Sanzar Pharmaceuticals, 86-82, in Group A.
Shawarma Shack almost blew a 19-point lead but still prevailed as Sanzar's comeback in the fourth quarter fell short.
Ken Bono finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, and one assist to lead Shawarma Shack.
Meanwhile, Nikki Monteclaro added 13 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals, Leonardo Esguerra chipped in 12 points, five rebounds, and one assist, and RJ Deles, Mike Harry Nzeusseu, and Billy Rojo each made 10 markers with Nzeusseu also grabbing 11 rebounds for the double-double.
Shaq Alanes led Sanzar with 33 points, 30 in the first half, behind seven triples, one rebound, three assists, and two steals, Taladua added 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal, and Gican made 15 points, four rebounds, one assist, and two steals.
Meanwhile, in the Group B opener, MBC stunned The Th3rd Floor-KalosPH-Cooly, 92-85.
MBC took control of the game after holding The Th3rd Floor to only 15 points in the second quarter and keeping them at bay in the second half.
William Freeman led MBC with 21 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and four steals, while Tychique Bosango and Leong Zhen Kang each contributed 17 markers off the bench.
Filipino actor Gerald Anderson led The Th3rd Floor with 24 points, three rebounds, three assists, and five steals.
Dexter Zamora finished with 19 points, two rebounds, one assist, three steals, and two blocks, while Genmar Bragais put up 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, and five steals.
Box Scores:
First Game
Shawarma Shack 86-Bono 20, Monteclaro 13, Esguerra 12, Deles 10, Nzeusseu 10, Rojo 10, Pasculado 7, Aviso 4, Rifarial 0, Tomilloso 0, Guevara 0
Sanzar 82-Alanes 33, Taladua 22, Gican 15, Kawamura 4, Maurillo 2, McGill 2, Moradas 2, Dimas 2, Madera 0, Lanzar 0, Obuyes 0, Pajimola 0
Quarterscores: 25-17, 52-44, 71-58, 86-82
Second Game
MBC 92-Freeman 21, Bosango 17, Leong 17, Dasom 10, Ja. Lee 8, JJ Lee 6, Chin 5, Lai 4, Lim 3, Phang 1, Kiu 0, Chua 0
The Th3rd Floor-KalosPH-Cooly 85-Anderson 24, Zamora 19, Bragais 18, Flores 8, Portales 5, Vanguardia 5, Mendoza 4, Lepalam 2, Catipay 0, Navalon 0
Quarterscores: 21-22, 45-37, 69-62, 92-85 (PNA)
