CEBU, Philippines – Rock-solid center Jerry Jaca exploded with 33 points to steer the Construction Services Department (CSD) Builders to an 86-80 victory over the Ave Maria Sanctuary Park-Team A in the Buanoy Open basketball tournament last Sunday in Balamban, Cebu.
Aldrin Ocañada, who finished with 12 points, was ejected from the game after committing two technical fouls in the second quarter of a rather physical match that also resulted into a technical foul by Roy Arnado in the third period.
Ave Maria-Team A, composed of current varsity players of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars who are all qualified to play in the 2009 CESAFI season, raced from 21 points down at halftime, 53-32, to whittle the deficit down to only three points, 80-83, with 2:55 left in the contest.
The Builders, however, proved to be a tough nut to crack at crunchtime to hang on to a six-point triumph. Raul Redulosa pitched in 12 points for the Builders followed by Jan Montalbo with 11.
Ave Maria of team owner Raffy Senining fielded in two teams in the Buanoy Open. Its Team B is manned by the graduating Jaguars in the likes of Armand Ponce, Ranulfo Malinao and Jabe Delfino.
Kurt Amores paced Ave Maria with 13 points.
The scores
CSD (86) - Jaca 33, Ocañada 12, Redulosa 12, Montalbo 11, Abatayo 8, Mangyao 6, Sereño 4, Arnado 4, Sayosn 1, Maspiñas 1
Ave Maria (80) - Amores 13, Llera 12, Villaver 11, Duran 9, Pateño 4, Lapiz 3, Olvedado 3, Senining 3, Bibera 2, Montenegro 1 Halftime: 53-32 (GGM) (THE FREEMAN)