Sweet Crystal Sugar outplayed Royal Star Trading, 86-73, to dominate the 35 and Above category of the Fil-Sino All Asian Countertrade Inc. 2nd Conference Inter-company Basketball Tournament played Wednesday night at Bacolod Tay Tung High School Po Hang Gym.

The win was Sweet Crystal’s sixth after eight games, while Royal Star dropped to the second spot with a 4-4 win-loss record.

Royal Star took the first quarter, 16-12 as Chibon Uy took charge of their offense with six points while Edward Uy delivered eight baskets for Sweet Crystal.

In the second quarter, Siopao Dichavez and Bobby Yap combined for 25 points to lead Sweet Crystal’s rally as they took the half, 41-29.

Another big game in the third quarter allowed Sweet Crystal to widen the gap as Mark Binguan scored 11 points and and Chris Javelosa added five for a commanding 82-41 lead going to the final quarter.

Trying to reverse the outcome of the game, Royal Star had eight hits from the three-point area with Michael Ang accounting for three triples to finish the quarter with 14 points.

But despite the explosive fourth quarter game from Royal Star, Sweet Crystal kept their composure to seal the win and grabbed the No. 1 spot in the team standings.

Binguan led Sweet Crystal with 18 points while Dichavez tallied 15, Yap sunk 13 points, Uy finished with 12, and Glin Ortaliz contributed 11 points.

Ang knocked down a total of seven triples to lead Royal Star with 25 points. He was backstopped by Bol Manaloto who delivered 18 points, while Joaquin Gochangco Jr. had 12, and Chibon Uy with 10.

Semifinals will start on Monday with Sweet Crystal holding a twice- to- beat advantage against No. 4 Organic Solutions, while Royal Star will meet with Basecom on Wednesday.*NAB

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