Pacquiao Warriors beat Go-led Malacañang five
SECRETARY Christopher "Bong" Go came out with a brilliant performance on his first appearance in the 80th Araw ng Davao Sports Festival Commercial Invitational Basketball Tournament Friday evening.
Go erupted with 45 points, splashing eleven triples, in the Malacanan Kamao's 88-96 loss to Senator Manny Pacquiao Warriors at the Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center.
While Kamao absorbed their second straight defeat, the sweet-shooting Special Assistant to President Rodrigo Duterte scored the league's highest points made so far on a great display of shooting prowess in 30 minutes of action.
Senator Pacquiao led the Warriors with 18 points and had his best passing game.
Maglasang and Batiller pitched in 10 points apiece for the Warriors who bounced back after losing to defending champions The Royal Mandaya Hotel-De La Salle University (TRMH-DLSU) in the opener to improve their record to 1-1.
Hitting treys one after another, Go, who did not see action in the final period, scored 19 of Kamao's 22 points in the third canto to keep his team in the game.
He nailed three triples in a row and back to back transition pull-up jumpers to open the second half scoring spurt for the Kamao.
The Warriors managed to sustain its 75-66 lead at the start of the final period and swatted Kamao attempts to pull away with the win.
With his remarkable showing, the President's closest aide left a clear imprint in the short but highly competitive league that he could made wonders for his team.
Go outdueled Pacquiao and practically the rest of the Warriors in the first half where he amassed 26 points, accounting an early six treys compare to the Warriors' lone triple couresty of Adrian Yusop.
Rocky Acidre made 14 points for the Kamao who lost to University of the Philippines in their first outing.
TRMH-DLSU defeated Montana Pawnshop, 8475, to move within the threshold of returning to the finals and take a crack of defending the title.
The win solidified its place at the top of Group A with a 2-0 card. A possible win against UP as of press time will formalize its entry to the finals.