BACOLOD City – Royal Star Trading ruled the 1st United Negros Basketball League Open Tournament after an 87-71 beating of University of St. La Salle Bacolod–Fyr Fyter on Sunday at the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Po Hang Gymnasium here.
Saldy Macabato speaheaded the offense for the Royal Star Trading with 14 points en route to being namer as Finals Most Valuable Player, while Justine Jay Ragay contributed 12 markers.
Reymart Carano-o contributed 11 markers, while Edsel Manday and Joshua Genesis Vincoy also hit double-digits in scoring for Royal Star Trading with 10 points each.
From a 24-23 lead, Royal Star opened the second quarter with a 7-2 scoring run to take a 33-28 lead after a Manday basket but USLS-Fyr Fyter answered with nine straight points for a 37-33 upperhand.
Royal Star Trading managed to regain the lead from USLS-Fyr Fyter at the half at 44-42 with 11-5 scoring blast behind conversions from Carano-o and Philip John Majometano.
Royal Star Trading continued their run at the onset of third quarter as they widened the advantage to 56-44 courtesy of Ragay before it went up to 64-50 heading into the final quarter.
USLS-Fyr Fyter tried to rally back midway in the fourth quarter but Royal Star Trading unloaded a 13-1 finishing attack behind triples from Majometano, Ragay and Matobato for the biggest lead of 83-57.
Mark June dela Cruz led the way for USLS-Fyr Fyter with 14 points, Keith Rhaileen Ortillano contributed 12 markers, while John Edmund Escultura and Ivan Macabani ended with 10 points each.
Colegio De San Agustin Bacolod/Strived Sportswear, on the other hand, copped the third place trophy after beating Davies Paints Philippines, 98-90, behind the 27-point explosion of Jemar Cepriano.
Meanwhile, named to the tournament’s Mythical Five selection were Manday, Andrie Dubouzet of USLS-Fyr Fyter, John Louie Mermida of Davies Paints and teammates Mycco Deposoy and Kenneth Malazarte of CSAB/Strived Sportswear.
Aside from trophies, the top 3 teams were awarded cash prizes of P20,000 for Royal Star Trading, P10,000 for USLS-Fyr Fyter and P5,000 for CSA-B/Strived Sportswear.
BOX SCORE:
ROYAL STAR 87 — Macabato 14, Ragay 12, Carano-o 11, Manday 10, Vincoy 10, Majometano 8, Cabaylo 6, Magalso 5, Garcia 4, Gentilizo 2, Torrecampo 2, Despi 2, Berrueda 1.
USLS-FYR FYTER 71 — Dela Cruz 14, Ortillano 12, Escultura 10, Macabani 10, Dubouzet 8, Alinsoring 5, Jimiera 4, Beatingo 4, Buenafe 3, Luciano 1.
Quarterscores: 24-23, 44-42, 64-50, 87-71./PN
