Class '97 plunged into action with only five cagers as penalty for their failure to field in at least eight players during the opening ceremonies. Thus, only the five players who showed up during the kick-off parade were allowed to play.
That did not matter though as Class '97 played its hearts out to upset Class 2002. Aubrey Jones Ibones topped Class '97 with 18 points followed by Abraham Chan and Edison Uy with 16 and 10 markers, respectively.
Class '97 enjoyed only a marginal 43-39 lead after three quarters, but toyed with Class 2002 in the final stretch to clinch the win.
Mark Jordan So fired a game-high 22 points, but his singular offensive outburst couldn't save the day for Class 2002.
In the other game, Dewfoam '88 displayed great team effort in crushing Vitastrong '81, 73-52.
All the 11 players fielded in by Class '88 scored led by Erwin Yu and Charlie Ong with 21 points combined.
Class '88 led by only six at the bend, 34-28, but pounded Class '81 in the third quarter, 18-11, to post a 52-39 advantage entering the payoff period.
Class '88 finished off Class 2002 with a game-closing 21-13 run for the 21-point rout.
The one-two punch of Class '81 in Tirso Aberia and Pedro Eng, Jr. connived for 36 points but they had little help from the rest of their teammates. - EBV