El Champions’ Michael Aparte gets fouled as he goes up for the finish between two defenders during a game of the Win Pacific Corporation Invitational Basketball League 2024 at the Gualo Rai basketball court on Saturday.
Tsingtao-JTM’s Arjay Giron makes contact as he goes up for the floater during a game of the Win Pacific Corporation Invitational Basketball League 2024 at the Gualo Rai basketball court on Saturday.
EL Champions and 670 Gravity continue to climb the ladder in the masters division of the Win Pacific Corporation Invitational Basketball League 2024 by notching their third win of the season at the Gualo Rai basketball court on Saturday.
El Champions pummeled Tsingtao-JTM, 93-65 while 670 Gravity trounced One N’ Win, 74-62.
Against Tsingtao-JTM, El Champions quickly established the pace in the opening quarter with Michael Aparte connecting back-to-back triples followed by another bucket by teammate Jerome Asuncion.
Tsingtao-JTM tried to fight back with fastbreak opportunities, but most of their attempts were inaccurate, and they ended up committing more turnovers than buckets made.
With each Tsingtao-JTM error, El Champions gained more chances to score on the other end where Clark Catibog capitalized with strong finishes at the rim to score eight points while teammate Leo Tapay contributed five points to give their team a comfortable lead, 30-12.
Tsingtao-JTM’s best run was seen during the second canto as they ditched their fastbreak strategy and focused on high-percentage shots. On the defensive end, they made their presence known by providing better coverage.
However, Tsingtao-JTM lost their touch in the third period and failed to fend off El Champions’ onslaught. Emphasizing better ball movement and communication, the other players of El Champions such as Jelmar Bantaculp reignited their team’s momentum with eight points before Jimmy Melendez and Aparte took over the highlight reel to regain a comfortable distance, 74-45.
Facing the inevitable, Tsingtao-JTM still gave a good fight in the fourth and final quarter, but had to accept defeat at the hands of El Champions, 65-93.
670 Gravity vs One N’ Win
670 Gravity, for their part, outscored One N’ Win, 74-62.
Both teams were evenly matched in the first half.
670 Gravity’s Erwin Santiago, Jerome Directo, and Jun Estolas worked well to lead their team’s offense, but One N’ Win countered with transition plays that were completed by Brandon Talania and Vinz Rodriguez to grasp a slight lead by halftime, 38-34.
One N’ Win tried to hold onto the lead throughout the second half, but costly turnovers and fouls handed 670 Gravity the chance to take control. 670 Gravity eventually sealed the deal with four straight triples late in the fourth quarter en route to victory, 74-62.
