AGUSAN del Sur — Wengburs Apartelle and Ella Store-San Beda and Bustamante Construction-University of Visayas hurdled their respective opponents at the start of the Mayor Kirk Asis Open Invitational basketball tournament at the Lope Asis Memorial Gymnasium in Bayugan City.

Jomel Puno finished with an all-around game of 16 points, four rebounds , two assists and two blocks as San Beda edged ARQ Builders-Adamson University, 65-64, in the featured match in this three-day tournament being held as part of Bayug Festival and the City’s 17th Charter Day Anniversary.

Puno himself delivered the marginal point with a split from the free throw line after Mathew Montebon of Adamson tied the score at 64-all with 21 seconds remaining.

James Payosing added nine points and RC Calimag contributed seven points for the Yuri Escueta-mentored Red Lions.

Cedrick Manzano had 17 points and eight rebounds in a losing effort for the Falcons of coach Nash Racela.

Matty Erolon added 14 points, Montebon contributed 13 points and Emmanuel Anabo chipped in 10 points.

In the curtainraiser, UV outplayed Vincare Pharma-University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 80-68.

AJ Sacayan and Kent Salarda combined for 48 points to lead the Cebu-based Green Lancers to victory.

Sacayan scattered 26 points, including seven three-pointers, along with four rebounds and three assists, while Salarda added 22 points on six triples.

Sacayan and Salarda combined for 13 three-pointers.

Import Lass Coulibaly chipped in 11 points.

Angelo Belsano paced the Las Piñas-based Altas with 13 points, followed by Christian Pagaran with 12 points and Shawn Orgo with 10 points and four assists.

Later, Arianos Construction-Emilio Aguinaldo College battled back from 13-point deficit to roll back UV, 89-85, in the third game.

Fueled by King Gurtiza and Nicol Gil Quinal, the Generals pounced on the ejection of 6-8 Coulibaly in the third quarter to turn the game around.

Gurtiza tallied 26 points, including two free throws that put EAC ahead, 86-85.

Quinal added 23 points, including a three-pointer that sealed the win, on top of three rebounds and two assists.

Raul Carlito Gentallan and Christopher Isabelo led the Gary Cortes-mentored Green Lancers with 16 and 14 points, respectively.

Salandra, however, was held to only six points.

Before the tournament proper, Mayor Asis hosted a welcome dinner for all the five participating teams late Wednesday.

“Thank you to all the participating teams, the players and the coaches, for coming here in Bayugan and joining us in this Mayor Asis Cup,” said Mayor Asis in his welcome remarks.

“The Vice Mayor (Kim Lope Asis) and I are very thankful that you are all here again,” he added.