Tito Rex’s Firewire continued its good run in the V-Cup 40-and-Up Legends Basketball Tournament as it added Lancaster to its growing list of victims, 81-73, the same night when Saints got back on track following a 95-84 bashing of hapless IT Depot x Tela.com Athletics at the West Rembo Gym in Taguig.
In picking up its third straight win in four games, Tito Rex’s Firewire banked on another steady game from Erwin Sta. Maria, an Asean Basketball League veteran, who presided on his team’s offense. The 6-foot-3 standout from Mapua knocked in 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the floor while also pulling down seven boards.
Sta. Maria was solid on both ends of the floor for Tito Rex’s Firewire, but he also got plenty of help from his teammates, most notably Paul Santiago, who contributed 11 markers on top of four rebounds and five assists.
Tito Rex’s Firewire got pounded inside by the equally aggressive Lancaster ball club, which produced 42 points inside the paint, 16 more than its rival.
But Tito Rex’s Firewire banked on its more solid contribution from the bench as its second and third units produced 56 points compared to Lancaster’s 46.
Sta. Maria and co. also won the battle of the boards, 51-43.
Saints, which absorbed back-to-back defeats in the previous games, found a perfect time to get back on the winning track as it outgunned and outran IT Depot x Tela.com Athletics.
Ronel Manguiat led the Saints’ scoring rampage as he pumped in 25 points, including four three-point shots. Ruben Zabala added 12, Michael Taniegra chipped in 11 and Maui Pradas contributed 10.
The Saints shot 49.3% from the field, which was better than IT Depot’s 37.8%, but the former also got more points from its bench, producing 65 points, 14 more than its counterpart. On fast break points, the Saints were also more aggressive, generating 19 points from transition compared to 12 by IT Depot.
It was the second win in four games for the Saints, who also delivered the Athletics their fourth loss in as many games.
Former PBA player Abby Santos carried the fight for the Athletics as he led his team’s production with 16 markers.
