UNITY Trade secured the No. 3 seed heading into the Michelob Ultra Cup 2025 playoffs after earning their fourth win of the season with a 70-56 rout of the Suns on Monday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
Both teams started evenly matched, with the Suns playing aggressively as they focused on attacking inside through a series of drives and second-chance attempts. Leo Galarse, Luizi Reyes, Shane Deleon Guerrero, and Pete Lizama each contributed a bucket during the early stretch.
Unity Trade took a more calculated approach, working to create open looks for Keith Santos and Elmer Esdrelon, who each sank a three-pointer while Rodel Pastrana and Emmanuel Bondad contributed inside the arc to help maintain a slim 18-12 advantage.
In the second quarter, the Suns gradually found their groove with Galarse picking up where he left off to keep the offense alive. But so did Unity Trade as they continued to deliver buckets to maintain the lead, 31-25.
While the Suns stuck to their inside game, Unity Trade excelled with all-around efficiency. Keith Santos punished defenders with two more three-pointers while Rodel Pastrana and Su Diwa added finishes at the rim to extend the lead to 48-39.
Unity Trade outscored the Suns in all four quarters, handing them a double-digit defeat, 70-56.
The first game of the day was won by Eastside Cuts (Elite Kuyas), who dominated Akarri 2, 106-74.
Scores:
Unity Trade 70 – Keith Santos 21, Justine Enano 10, Rodel Pastrana 10, Emmanuel Bondad 9, Ivan De Vero 4, Su Diwa 4, Brendon Talania 4, Elmer Esdrelon 3, Frank Ferrer 3, Jerome Directo 2
Suns 56 – Leo Galarse 9, Luizi Reyes 11, Shane Deleon Guerrero 6, Pete Lizama 4, Josh Lizama 4, Dave Camacho 8, Jude Tengco 8, LJ Reyes 2, Zack Diaz 4
Eastside Cuts’ Tony Kim pulls up for a contested jump shot during a Michelob Ultra Cup game at the Ada gym.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
Unity Trade’s Elmer Esdrelon takes an open three-point shot during a Michelob Ultra Cup game at the Ada gym.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
