RP trims Kazakhstan, shares lead

San Miguel Beer-RP leaned on its quickness and outside shooting as it tamed a taller Tobol-Kazakhstan, 88-67, yesterday to remain unscathed in the FedEx 16th FIBA-Asia Champions Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Making up for a so-so stint in the Nationals’ 81-49 bashing of India in the opener, Ren Ren Ritualo drilled in four of his team’s 10 triples to finish with 12 points as the team posted its second straight win to share the lead with the Iranians in Group A.

"We wanted to come out and play with so much energy as if we’re coming off a long rest," said RP team coach Chot Reyes, adding that " to a certain extent we were able to do that."

Nick Belasco led the scoring for the host country with 17 points but it was Romel Adducul, a veteran of many Asian cage wars, who made things happen for the Nationals as he held his fort against the bigger, heftier Kazakhs, the 2003 Busan Asian Games bronze medalists.

The Barangay Ginebra standout scored 16 points and took eight rebounds.

"This man made things happen for us," said Reyes of his 6-foot-5 center.

RP takes a rest today before plunging to action tomorrow against a tougher opponent in Iran.

Saba Battery-Iran and Fast Link-Jordan ran roughshod over their respective opponents .The Iranians demolished India, 94-50, to pace Group A while the Jordanians posted their second straight win with a 99-95 victory over the Kuwaiti side for the lead in Group B.