Convincing wins send E-Gilas to FIBA semis; Aristorenas rules PFF eTrophy
E-Gilas Pilipinas easily cruised to the semifinals of the FIBA Esports Open III Southeast Asia Conference after smashing its lowly foes Vietnam and Maldives in the group stage.
With ace gunner Aljon “Shintarou” Cruzin leading the assault, the Laus Playbook Esports-backed national squad routed Vietnam, 7840, then mauled Maldives, 124-40, in Group A on Friday night, April 16.
Shintarou dropped 54 points built on a fiery 13-of-15 beyond the arc and 20-of-22 overall field goal shooting to go with 14 assists and five steals against Maldives.
Custer “Custer” Galas contributed 24 points and eight assists while Philippe “IzzoIV-“Herrero put up a near triple-double with 13 markers, 17 boards and eight dimes.
Prior to that, Shintarou came through with 26 points and 12 assists in the rousing opener versus Vietnam while being backstopped by Rial “Rial” Polog Jr. who tallied 24 markers.
E-Gilas is battling Group B runner-up Mongolia in the best-ofthree semifinals at presstime.
Former Philippine Azkals standout Jorrel Aristorenas ruled the firstever Philippine Football Federation eTrophy that featured eight players invited by the federation.
After finishing as second seed in his group, Aristorenas stunned Ciccio San Gabriel, 6-4 on aggregate in the semifinals before posting a 6-2 romp over ex-national youth squad member Renard Yu, 6-2, in Friday’s finals.
Both Aristorenas and Yu will represent the Philippines in the upcoming FIFAe Nations online qualfiers slated April 29 to May 1.
Meanwhile, the MPL Philippines Season 7 finally resumed with its Week 3 on Thursday following the Holy Week break and the extension of the enhanced community quarantine.
The local professional league of Moonton for its popular mobile MOBA game saw newcomer Work Auster Force and Execration take the top spots in Group A and B, respectively, after sweeping their opponents.
Work made short work of Cignal Ultra, 2-0, while Execration trounced the struggling Laus Playbook Esports, 2-0, on Friday.