Games Today
(CKSC gym, Manila)
12:45 p.m. – Hatyai vs FCVBA
(60-above)
2 p.m. – Meteor vs FCVBA
(50-above)
(YMCA gym, Binondo)
9 a.m. – FCVBA vs KLVBC
Former University of the East star Julio Cruz and Joseph Whang sparked a big fourth quarter attack as Filipino-Chinese Veterans Basketball Association (FCVBA) demolished Sarawak, 42-25, to jumpstart its title-retention bid in the 60-above division in the 25th ASEAN Veterans Basketball Championships yesterday at the Chiang Kai Shek College gym in Manila.
Protecting a slim 18-15 halftime lead, Cruz and Whang led FCVBA’s third quarter onslaught that saw the local squad take a 30-22 lead before holding its rival to just three points in the last 10 minutes to win pulling away.
Cruz and Whang shared scoring honors with 7 points each while ex-La Salle star Kenneth Yap, Jose Lao and Eduard Tio combined for 16 markers in a solid start in the annual event sponsored by Rain or Shine, Freego Jeans, Iconcon Builders and Philippine Airlines.
“It’s a good win but we need to play harder in our next game if we want to retain our title,” said Tio.
Also stepping up for the Melo Navarro-mentored team was Jose Lao who also had six points.
Led by Lucio “Bong” Tan, Jerry Gonzales and Gerry Tee, FCVBA’s 50-above team was playing against Zaap of Thailand while its 40-above squad was also battling against the Thai side at presstime.
The club’s 65-above team, led by Rain or Shine co-team owner Terry Que, Ironcon’s Jimi Lim, Bong dela Cruz and Zotico Tan, starts its title drive against Kuala Lumpur at 9 a.m. today at the YMCA gym in Binondo.
In other games, Meteor beat Kuala Lumpur, 53-30, while Hatyai trounced Brunei, 63-33.