A Plus Team, Easy Riders remain undefeated in Eagles caging

A Plus Team of the Masters Division and Easy Riders in the Open Division A team remain undefeated in the Inaugural SMEC-SMLEG Invitational Basketball Tournament 2023 after winning their makeup games at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

A Plus Team’s most recent conquest was against Vizion, with a blowout, 109-87, win on Monday, then defeated JSN, 76-59, last Sunday, for a 7-0 record.

The Easy Riders, on the other hand, won their sixth game after they defeated Eats Easy-The Game, 78-61, last Saturday.

In A Plus Team’s game against Vizion, they gave them a beating as they took their momentum from Sunday and more than doubled their score.

Vizion managed to hold on in the first quarter as they trailed by only 4 points, 16-20, but A Plus Team’s offense exploded in the second quarter. Led by Chris Sanchez, Gino Libuw, and Andrew Ashburn, the trio had 23 points between them in that quarter alone.

Heading into the third quarter, A Plus Team enjoyed a 55-35 lead. From there, A Plus Team could not be stopped as Sanchez went on to bank 31 points, followed by De Shawn Reign’s 18, and Ashburn’s 15 markers.

Vizion’s Jeff Galvez mirrored Sanchez’s efforts, but their team as a whole came up short from missed opportunities and lackadaisical ball-handling.

For the Easy Riders, they kept a resurgent The Game team at bay in the last quarter after two easy quarters in the beginning.

The Game tried to keep pace with the Easy Riders via sharpshooter Ervin Villarin, but the Easy Riders had more players open—as a result, Easy Riders had more opportunities and took advantage of it.

However, it was pretty much neck-and-neck in the last quarter as The Game were getting their groove on. Easy Riders still had the upper hand though and proceeded to make their shots and left The Game in the dust.

In the end, Villarin scored 26 points, while Preston Basa had 10. Meanwhile, Easy Riders’ Frank Ferrer put up 26, Andrew Ashburn scored 12, and seven other team members contributed to the cause.

In Monday’s games, Blue Haus slipped past JSN, 89-84; and Bridge Capital won a close 85-82 game against IT&E.

Last Sunday, Choju blew out IT&E, 114-71.

Last Saturday, San Antonio Market-Lakay beat Vizion, 89-82.

And last Friday, Legends defeated San Antonio Market-Lakay, 87-69.

If tonight’s and tomorrow’s makeup games are completed, the playoffs are set for next week.

MONDAY

A Plus Team 109 – Sanchez 31, Reign 18, Ashburn 15, Echavez 13, Javier 10, Libuw 10, Mendiola 8, Diaz 4.

Vizion 87 – Galvez 31, Pablo 24, Sedillo 20, De Belen 6, Sangoyo 6.

Scoring by quarters: 20-16, 55-35, 89-62, 109-87.

SATURDAY

Easy Riders 78 – Ferrer 26, Ashburn 12, Padayao 9, Velasco 7, Diwa 6, De Guzman 6, Camacho 5, Directo 5, Gaviola 2.

Eats Easy-The Game 61 – Villarin 27, Basa 10, Galang 9, Fitial 7, Deleon Guerrero 4, Ferrari 2, Ong 2.

Scoring by quarters: 24-11, 48-34, 64-49, 78-61.