The Say Chiz Smileys had the last laugh after surviving a close one against the Smart Sports Scribes while Capital1 Solar Boys delivered a wire-to-wire victory over the Strong Group Athletics Press Row Bros in the opening of the 2024 Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday.
An eventual game-winning floater from Jeric Lopez with 39 seconds left, a big offensive rebound by Aivan Episcope, and crucial stops in the last 8.4 seconds helped the Smileys of Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Francis Ochoa escape the Smart-backed side of Spin.PH’s Dodo Catacutan, 66-64, in the tournament, which is one of the projects of PSA President Nelson Beltran of Philippine Star.
In the first game, Christian Jacinto and birthday boy Aldo Aviñante were all business for Capital1 of Manila Bulletin’s Ramon Bonilla, leading the squad to an 86-74 victory against SGA.
Jonas Terrado of the Inquirer finished with game-highs 21 points and 14 rebounds, along with four steals, two assists, and a block.
Lopez followed with 16 points, three rebounds, and four assists while Cedelf Tupas added 15 points, four assists, and four steals.
For Smart Sports it was AJ Bolando who topscored with 19 points, but was limited to two points in the fourth quarter. He also grabbed eight rebounds and two steals.
Julio Sampedro drained six triples for his 18-point outing, but he fouled out in the last minute of the game.
An opening ceremony ushered in the return of the basketball eveny, with Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann and Dr. Ian Laurel of Shakey’s Super League and Athletic Events and Sports Management Inc. serving as special guests.
Jacinto logged 21 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks while Aviñante, who turned 35, tallied 19 points, five assists, and three rebounds.
Two more players from the Solar Boys reached double figures with Mark Rey Montejo and John Bryan Ulanday adding 16 and 11 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Diego Dela Paz and Eugene Flores recorded 17 points apiece for the Press Row Bros of Daily Tribune’s Julius Manicad.
The tournament will continue next week with early winners Say Chiz and Capital1 going up in the first game followed by Smart Sports and Strong Group.