Villamor drops 39 points as '99ers hold off Bugs in USC-NABC caging
The 1999ers rode on the game-long brilliance of Fritz Villamor to fend off the hard-fighting 2000 Bugs, 71-67, and seize the temporary lead in Division 2 of the University of San Carlos-North Alumni Basketball Conference (USC-NABC) Summer League 3 at the USC-North Campus gym over the weekend.
After a lukewarm start, Villamor took matters in his own hands in the second half to almost singlehandedly carry the '99ers to its second straight win as many starts. Villamor was backed up by Christopher Osorio and Ernest Rama with 15 combined points.
"We were lucky we recovered from a slow start and made out shots in the second half," said Villamor, who was the hands-down choice as best player of the game for the second consecutive time. He sparkled with 32 points during their 89-55 rout of the 1997 Ronins last week.
In the other Division 2 match, Kristian Tapic scattered 24 points, Bughao scored 23 while Saturninas chipped in 15 markers as 1997 Ronins downed Sipat '98, 93-72.
In Division 3, the 2004 CSAS kicked off its campaign with a 73-57 drubbing of the 2003 Stallions. Ian Callet paced the Rebels with 20 points to lead the Rebels.
On the other hand, Rocky Alcoseba hit 15 points to lead the RUS Lions 2002 B over its sister squad RUS Lions Team A, 97-51.
Noa Espinosa collected 27 points as the 1996 Chubbies defeated the 1995 Pirates, James Lu fired 22 points as the 1994 Bulldogs dealt the 1993 Dragons with an 88-84 beating, Carlo del Rosario unloaded 24 points to rally the 1994 Bulldogs past Bai 1991, while Carlo Campos sank 14 points to help the 2001 Shipmen edge the 2000 Bugs, 79-75.
Virgil Pua went 7-of-7 from beyond the arc en route to scoring 27 points as the 1985 Legends overwhelmed the 1986 Wave Riders, 94-76, while Jun Bantolinao powered the 1982 Classics to a 93-79 thrashing of the 1980 Chargers.—EBV