MANILA – Ken Bono stepped up offensively in the second half as Hua Siong College of Iloilo-Lamtex Pipes cruised to a 69-52 victory over Xavier School-Acrocity x Zhoosh in Game 1 of the Fil-Chi Athletic Association Inc. (FCAAI) 40s Division Finals on Monday night at the Playtime EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
The Iloilo City-native center finished with 26 points, including five three-pointers, to go with 13 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and block as Hua Siong took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
James Yap also made his presence felt with 22 markers, with four three-point conversions, to go with 14 rebounds and five assists for Hua Siong, who unloaded 11 three-pointers in the win.
Xavier School surged to an early 18-11 lead behind outside shots from Chris Tiu, but Yap unloaded two three-pointers and a layup to surge Hua Siong ahead at 19-18.
Hua Siong got conversions from Bono, Leo Canuday, and Jose Villegas to establish a 32-26 lead in the second period, but consecutive triples from Joseph Yeo leveled the score at 32-all at the half.
With Yap neutralised by Xavier School’s defense in the third quarter, Bono stepped up in the third quarter with two outside conversions and inside baskets to give Hua Siong a 51-40 lead.
Hua Siong pulled away further in the fourth quarter with outside conversions from Bono, Yap, and Eduardo Allado as the lead reached its largest at 24 points at 65-41 with six minutes left.
“Nandun pa din ‘yung school pride to play for Hua Siong kasi, 20 years ago, ganun din ‘yung ginagawa namin, pumupunta kami sa Manila to represent our school,” Yap said in a post-game interview. “Pride pa din ‘yung pinag uusapan namin.”
Tiu and Yeo top-scored for Xavier School with 14 points apiece, while Eldridge Yao added 11 markers in the defeat./PN
BOX SCORE:
HUA SIONG 69 — Bono 26, Yap 22, Villegas 6, Canuday 4, Villegas 4, Allado 3, Teneso 3, Chiong 1, Barcellano 0, Rizaga 0, Tee 0, Uy 0, Tan 0, Cua 0.
XAVIER 52 — Tiu 14, Yeo 14, Yao 11, Go 5, Chua 4, Ng 3, Tio 1, Sioco 0, Alabanza 0, Chua 0, Noel 0, Chu 0.
Quarterscores: 16-18, 32-32, 51-40, 69-52.
