Madz defeated Shakeys, 94-83 as Redeemer defeated UNAC, 109-90 in the opening matches of Class A in the Fil-SINO Asia Brewery Invitational Cup at Bacolod Tay Tung High School gym.
Neil de los Santos and Jones Castillo conspired for 13 points to give Madz a 21-13 advantage in the first quarter even as Elven Diaz dropped 9 points for Shakeys.
Meanwhile, Brian Paypon scored 8 points to keep Madz ahead at the half, 39-31 while Paron de Jesus and Ramon Ortigosa hit 6 and 5 points, respectively for Shakey’s.
Jan Villaron connected 4 triples as Diaz added 6 points to cut the deficit to 67 -63 with Paypon and Delos Santos holding the fort for Madz with 6 points apiece.
In the final quarter, Diaz scored 11 points and Marc Lo added 5 points but, it was not enough to counter Madz dominance as Reylan Ronzales scored 7 points to seal the opening day victory.
Paypon spearhead Madz’ scoring with 17 points as de los Santos and Castillo added 13 markers while Joemel Garrido nailed 11 points.
Diaz, meanwhile, finished with 27 points as Villaroman made 19 points in losing efforts.
In the nightcap, the trio of Jinggoy Bautista, Bimbim Palada and Matt Deles scored 10, 7 and 6 points, respectively to put Redeemer on top in the opening quarter 27-15
UNAC had a better showing in the 2nd quarter with Jomarie Volcan and Ressu Roldan delivering 8 and 12 points apiece but, the inside-outside game of Joemarie Bayhon - who nailed 3 triples for 11 points and Peter John Deles’ 2 three-point plays extended the lead at the break, 61-39.
Volcan scored 12 points to lead a balance UNAC best quarter offensive in the 3rd canto, 85-68, but Bayhon caught fire anew with 12 points in the payoff quarter to counter the UNAC rally.
Bayhon paced Redeemer with 23 points as Peter John Deles, Matt Deles and Jinggoy Bautista shot 12 points each.
Meanwhile, Volcan finished with 24 points as Roldan delivered 15 points for UNAC. (JSG)