The Capital1 Solar Boys and the Say Chiz Smileys picked up close wins to conclude the elimination round on a high note in the 2024 Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday, April 9.
The Solar Boys claimed the No. 1 seed after fending off the Smart Sports Scribes in a battle of the top two squads, 69-66, while the Smileys escaped with a comeback 73-71 win against the Strong Group Athletics Press Row Bros.
Up by two, 68-66, Capital1 produced a defensive brilliance when the team was able to strip a driving Julio Sampedro of UAAP Varsity Channel to prevent a game-tying shot.
The Philippine STAR’s Bryan Ulanday then split his free throws with a fraction of a second left to seal the deal for Capital1 which finished the eliminations with a 5-1 record in the tournament which is one of the projects of PSA head Nelson Beltran, also of the STAR.
Aldo Aviñante paced the Solar Boys with 22 points, while Ulanday chipped in 15 for the squad backed by Mandy and Milka Romero, Bulakan Mayor Vergel Meneses, Uratex, and Rebel Sports.
On the losing side, Cignal’s AJ Bolando had a 26-point performance, while Sampedro added 15 markers built on five triples as the Sports Scribes ended up second with a 4-2 record.
Spin.ph’s Reuben Terrado tallied a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double for the Danny Espiritu, Headstart Sports Academy, and BaliPure-backed team.
Meanwhile, in the second game, the Smileys leaned on an 11-3 run to pull the rug from under SGA, which was seeking its first win of the tournament.
Jeric Lopez drove from the left flank and nailed a tough floater with one second left to lift the Smileys to the victory and a 3-3 card to end up third in the standings.
He recorded a game-high 27 points, collared nine rebounds, dished out four assists, and committed five steals.
