Toyota-Bacolod and Boston Finance displayed experience down the stretch as they outplayed their respective rivals Friday in the 1st PROBAC/LNA7 Invitational Basketball Tournament played at the West Negros University gym.

Toyota was able to hold on to a 9-point lead towards the final seconds of the match to outsmart the younger Watchmen Daily Journal, 108-99.

Down by two points at the half, 40-42, Toyota-Bacolod exploded for a 47-23 blast in the third quarter behind Rico Cabato’s 26 points, including four treys, to post a huge 22 points at the end of the period.

Tivo Hisona also managed to rule the boards for Toyota and scored eight points as Bernard Suante contributed seven points including a pair of triples.

Meanwhile, Pril Gacho was the only WDJ player to score in double figure in this quarter with 14 points.

In the final quarter, WDJ made several runs to outscore Toyota, 34-21. WDJ sparked to cut the lead down to 15 points with 3:45 left in the game on the collective efforts from Taboy Corriente and Ronald Quilantang.

They further slashed the deficit to five points with less than a minute left with Gacho’s twin triples. Toyota managed to country WDJ attack as Keempee Lagrason, Allan Jaena and Hisona combined for 19 points.

Cabato paced Toyota with 26 points, all from the third quarter, as Lagrason hit 19, while Jaena and Hisona delivered 12 points apiece, Amit Teruel 10, and Marco Avecilla and Bernard Suante with 7 points each.

Meanwhile, Gacho led WDJ with 23 points backstopped by Jun-Jun Alisbo with 16, Corriente 12 as Marion Opu-an and Quilantang shot 10 points each while Cesar Tan, Jesus Ynchino and JM Gonzales with 6 points apiece.

In the other game, Boston Finance escaped Akasya Grill, 82-80.

With six seconds left in the game and both squads tied at 80-all, Yan Dy sent an excellent pass to the open Matt Deles for two to seal a win. Dy, who played well in the match, was on top of the key and doubled team when he saw Deles alone underneath the basket.

With .7 seconds remaining in the clock, Akasya tried to make a miracle shot with Carlo Diaz launching a long 3-pointer but Boston’s defense was all over him as his shot came off short.

Akasya, playing without ace center 6’7 center Mark Kong, trailed Boston in the first two periods, 15-25 and 19-21. But Akasya surged to a 22-13 run in the third to cut the lead to 59-56 entering the final quarter.

Jerard Abrot anchored Boston with a game-high 30 points as Dy shot 15, Deles with 12 and Doc Baloyo with 11 points.

Meanwhile, Diaz topscored Akasya with 14 points as Japhet Cua and Eugene Jalandoni finished with 9 points each, Jynon Mapa with 8 and Matthew Yap with 7 points.*WNU Sports Office

back to top

International tchoukball tournament set Aug. 3-5
Jr. Mustangs, Stallions rule 3-on-3 Challenge
Toyota, Boston win in Probac/LNA7 tilt