Team Ochoa and the Philippine Sports Commission were off to a fine start to their respective campaigns in the 2024 Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Cup Preseason Tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday.
Team Ochoa fended off a late run from Team Bonilla to hack out a 61-55 win, while the PSC pulled away in the second half to take down Team Catacutan, 74-50, in the preseason tiff supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and serves as a prelude to the return of the scribes’ annual basketball tournament in February.
Cedelf Tupas showed the way for Team Ochoa, firing 25 points – 13 of which he poured in the third frame where his team built enough cushion to weather a last-ditch run from Team Bonilla in the final frame.
Tupas also added seven assists and three rebounds while Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Jonas Terrado provided ample support with a double-double of 11 points and 15 rebounds. Jeric Lopez also scattered 13 points, six assists and five rebounds while rookie Niel Masoy of The Manila Times had seven points and nine boards.
John Bryan Ulanday of The Philippine Star paced Team Bonilla with 14 points, while Christian Jacinto had 10 points and 12 boards. Rappler’s Delfin Dioquino chipped in seven points and 10 rebounds.
In the other game, Marco Ayuste and Leo Goboli spearheaded PSC’s second half onslaught to break free from a close halftime count of 28-21. Ayuste and Goboli had 14 points apiece as PSC outscored Team Catacutan 46-29 in the second half.
Spin.ph’s Reuben Terrado tried to carry the fight for Team Catacutan with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Kevin Dela Cruz finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. Julio Sampedro contributed 16 points, five rebounds and two steals also in a losing effort.
Yet to see action in the tournament is Team Manicad, which is set to make its debut against Team Ochoa in the second game on Tuesday, Jan. 16, while Team Bonilla and Team Catacutan try to barge into the win column in the curtain raiser.