Stellar BPO relied on a 20-20 game by Miguel Castellano for a 71-65 win over Shell Business Operations which highlighted Week 3 play in the 2017 BPO Classics Basketball Tournament Recreational Division Pool 2.
The mighty Castellano had 26 points and 21 rebounds in Stellar BPO’s victory, while Erwin Flojo and Joshua Ocampo added 16 points and 13 points, respectively.
Stellar BPO shut down SBO in the second quarter, holding them down to just five points to pull away. SBO struggled to overcome the deficit towards the end.
Joash Guinto tallied 19 markers and 13 boards for SBO, but the squad shot only 29 percent overall.
In Week 3’s most exciting match, Ring Central (GCC) prevailed against Shearwater health, 63-61 after a big-time triple by Pierre Castro in the clutch.
Castro broke a 59-all deadlock in the final 1:15 of the game, making his only three of the match which proved to be vital for the win.
Joel Nalindhom (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Richard Dupaya (11 points, 10 rebounds) each contributed double-doubles for Ring Central.
Neither team led by higher than nine points. It was Shearwater Health which had a better start, although Ring Central chipped away and even led in the third frame. It was a back-and-forth duel in the fourth quarter, with Castro shining the brightest with his dagger of a three.
Mar Valiente had 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals for Shearwater Health.
In another tight battle, PSG Global Solutions survived Eastvantage, 65-61. PSG had a strong start, but had to survive a challenge in the end from their counterparts.
Free throws by Richard Salarda, who had 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting for Eastvantage, pulled his side within 61-59 with only 27 ticks remaining.
Fortunately for PSG, JC Salvo (21 points, four rebounds, three assists) and Lord Abrigo (14 points, 15 boards) sealed the victory by knocking down their own charities.
Meanwhile, Personiv scored the weekend’s easiest win, after blowing out Quintiles IMS, 70-49.
The victors already led by 20 at the half, 35-15, and maintained the margin until the final buzzer.
Paulo Cheung carried Personiv with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Ellis Opano came off the bench for 14 markers. Karlo Panti led Quinteles IMS with his own double-double of 18 points and 10 boards.
