AACI Trading leads pack

TOP Seed AACI Trading nailed the top spot in Class A, holding off No. 2 Huminova Tigers 103-97, while AACI Transport got the last semis slot routing AACI Farms 112-87 in the 2012 Fil-Sino All Asian Countertrade Inc. 1st Conference intercolor tournament at TTHS Po Hang Gym.

Robbie Jalando-on delivered a game-high 28 points for Trading, as he led five of his teammates in double figures. Julius Teruel scored 19 points, Daniel Chiu and Arvin Gustilo delivered 17 points apiece, Charlton Ong had 12 points and Johann Villanueva 10 points.

Teruel scored all his points in the 1st half with Jalando-on adding 14 points to post a 54-42 lead at halftime. David Lim and Johnnyson Yu combined for 19 points for the Tigers.

Bobby Yap sunk 3 treys, with RB Chua and Monroe Chua adding 6 points apiece to cut the deficit to 74-71 in the 3rd canto.

The Tigers continued to threaten Trading behind Badong Eufre with 10 points. RB Chua and Yap added 6 points each, as they cut the lead to as low as a single basket but they were not able to overtake Trading, as Arvin Gustilo took over the offense, scoring the last 10 points for Trading to finish with 13 points in the quarter.

Yap paced the Tigers with 20 points, Eufre picked up 15 points, David Lim had 14 points, RB Chua scored 13 points, Monroe Chua made 10 points, Biboy Yap delivered 9 points and Yu chipped in 8 points.

In the other game, AACI Transport with their backs against the wall outscored Farms in all quarters. As Transport needed to win by at least 21 points, they did just that as they got the last semis slot with a 25-point victory.

Joel Masadia led Transport with 25 points, followed by Yan Yan Dy, Jose Miguel Montinola, Chibon Uy and Joshua Co with 21, 19, 15 and 14 points, respectively. Bol Manaloto added 14 points and Jolly Castillo had 7 points.

Missing the services of center Ritchie Militante told heavily on Farms’ campaign which was led by Ren Ren Lacson and Nico Lopingco with 18 points each, Jan Jan Lopue scored 16 points, Clarence Quingco delivered 14 points and Joseph Tiu made 8 points.

Semis action in Class A will start on Wednesday with No. 2 Tigers going up against No. 3 Royal Star Trading in a knockout match, while No. 4 AACI Transport is looking for an upset against No. 1 AACI Trading. Trading will have a twice to beat advantage in the semifinals.

Class B semis will be played tonight (Monday) starting at 7 p.m. with No. 3 Jast Enterprises playing against No. 2 Basecom followed by the match at 815 pm with No. 4 JSY Transport trying to overcome the twice to beat advantage of No. 1 Organic Solutions. (Stephen Tan/Contributor)