BAYUGAN City, Agusan del Sur — Defending champion ARQ Builders- Far Eastern University and Bustamante Construction-Adamson University pulled off similar impressive victories at the start of the 2023 Mayor Kirk Asis Open Invitational Basketball Tournament at the Lope Asis Memorial Gymnasium here Tuesday.

ARQ-FEU bested Vincare Pharma – Lyceum, 86-68, while Adamson routed ICC Blue Hawks, 81-52, in front of a jampacked opening-day crowd.

Cholo Añonuevo and James Tempra provided the 1-2 punch for the Tamaraws, who battled back from an early 16-point deficit in the opening period to roll back the Pirates.

Añonuevo finished with 13 points.

His offensive prowess was complemented by his contributions in other areas, as he hauled in three rebounds, dished out two assists, executed two steals, and one block.

Tempra had 12 points, three rebounds and two steals for coach Denok Miranda.

John Barba topscored for LPU with 18 points including three triples, and four rebounds while Jearolan Omandac and Renz Villegas contributed 12 points each for coach Gilbert Malabanan.

John “Matty” Erolon drained five triples to lead Adamson’s victory as he finished with 21 points.

Aaron Fermin added 13 points and four rebounds for coach Nash Racela.

Cedrick Manzano had 11 points and Jerome Lastimosa chipped in with eight points.

Cameroonian Landry Sanjo led the ICC’s losing effort with 12 points.

Luigi Conrad Gabisan also had 12 and 10 points for coach Ogie Gumatay.

The All-Star Coaches defeated LGU Bayugan squad,115-81, in the opening game of their best-of-three- exhibition series.

The scores:

First game

Adamson U (81) – Erolon 21, Fermin 13, Manzano 11, Lastimosa 8, Hanapi
7, Montebon 7, Magbuhos 4, Calisay 3, Yerro 3, Ramos 2, Sicat 2.
ICC (52) – Sanjo 12, Gabisan 10, Jabonete 9, Taala 8, Palencia 5,
Jabonete 4, Torres 3, Grado 2.
Quarterscores: 20-19; 48-38; 64-44; 81-52.

Second game

FEU (86) – Añonuevo 13, Tempra 12, Macapagal 9, Konateh 8, Competente
7, Torres 7, Fatty 6, Baguno 6, Ona 6, Pasaol 5, Alforque 5, Sleat 2.
LPU (68) – Barba 18, Omandac 12, Villegas 12, Umali 8, Aviles 6,
Fuentes 5, Guadaña 5, Montaño 2.
Quarterscores: 15-22; 39-34; 67-55; 86-68.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya