VISITING Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws bounced back from its first-day loss to Davao City by beating the General Santos Bulalakaw, 79-74 on Day 2 hostilities of the Kadayawan 2022 Invitational Basketball Tournament held at the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) Gym on Friday, August 19.
FEU improved to a 1-1, win-loss card while the Bulalakaws slumped to 0-2 in the four-day cagefest organized by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) under Region 11 Director Glenn Escandor with operations head Ronel Leuterio.
Other games were still being played as of press time.
Meanwhile, the host Davao City team shocked youth-laden powerhouse Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 78-72, in the opening games held at the Petro Gazz RMC Gym on Thursday, August 18.
Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and Pilipinas Super League (PSL) champion Davao Occidental Tigers and the Adamson University (AdU) Falcons also drew first blood by beating their respective rivals.
The Davao City squad, mentored by former San Beda and international coach Britt Reroma, leaned on Filipino-American Jeremy Arthur who poured in 23 points while Jed Mendoza and Roldan Sara chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
It was a tight match from the start with the Tamaraws taking a two-point lead in the first canto but the hosts proved to be no pushovers as they managed to force a 42-all deadlock at the break.
Davao City's tight defense also limited Tamaraws' offensives to just 15 in the third period where Arthur made eight points including four charities. The Tamaraws tried to fight back in the final quarter but still fell short. Rodel Gravera canned 17 baskets for FEU and James Tempra added nine.
The Falcons eked out a rousing 80-67 win over General Santos Bulalakaw while the Falcons cruised past Zamboanga Valientes, 86-65.
Davao Occidental Tigers head coach Arvin Bonleon, in an earlier Facebook Messenger interview with SunStar Davao, vowed that his players, a mix of regular mainstays, veterans, and newbies, will give their all in the tournament.
"Chance to win a championship dahil eager kami makapaglaro ulit nang liga after we last played sa tournament nung April 25, 2022 at of course sa Davao lalaruin. Bigay talaga namin best namin although marami kaming bagong players ngayon. Sana mag-gel kami sa Kadayawan. This is the first time namin magsali nang liga kasi na with the new players (We've got a chance to win a championship since we are eager to play in a league again after our last tournament on April 25, 2022 and of course we're playing in Davao. We will give our best although we have new players. I'm hoping that our players will gel in the Kadayawan tournament. This is the first time we're joining a league with the new players)," Bonleon said.
The event offers P100,000 for the champion while the runner-up will take home P50,000, and the third placer will receive P30,000. The fourth and fifth finishers will settle for P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.
A cash bonus of P5,00 will each be awarded to the most valuable player (MVP) and slam dunk champion.
Games will resume starting at 3 p.m. today at USEP Gym. MLSA