MANILA, Philippines — The future is indeed bright.
Former PBA star and Barangay Ginebra deputy Olsen Racela was left in awe with the level of talent displayed by the cream of the amateur crop in Sunday night’s Slam Rising Stars Classic at the Gatorade Hoops Gym in Mandaluyong City.
Shining in the annual showpiece were San Beda’s Evan Nelle and Ateneo de Manila’s seven-footer Kai Sotto, who led Team Punks past pesky Team Hype, 124-116, in overtime.
"I just gave a few patterns to follow … I just let them play," said Racela, who was mentoring “Team Punks.”
Trailing most of the game, Team Hype clawed their way back into contention via stellar performances of Chiang Kai Shek's John Galinato and University of Santo Tomas and reigning UAAP Juniors Most Valuable Player CJ Cansino, who tallied 27 and 20 points, respectively.
Team Punks’ Dave Ildefonso, son of PBA great Danny, nailed a tough 3-pointer to send the game into overtime and paving the way for Sotto’s extra period heroics bolstered by RJ Abarrientos.
The scores:
TEAM PUNKS 124 – Nelle 21, Abarrientos 17, Sotto 16, Ildefonso 15, Sabandal 15, Amsali 13, Cunanan 13, Bonifacio 5, Fermin 4, Escamis 3, Celis 2
TEAM HYPE 116 – Galinato 27, Cansino 20, Gozum 15, Gonzales 14, Fortea 13, Tolentino 10, Guadana 7, Credo 6, Cortez 4