Title favorite De La Salle University opened its campaign in the 86th Araw ng Davao Basketball tournament with a convincing win over the Lyceum Pirates 77-69 on Wednesday at the Davao City Recreation Center.
Kevin Quiambao fired a team-high 15 points for the Green Archers while Davao boy Francis Escandor also had a big game scoring 10 markers in an inspired game before the home crowd. Quiambao went 6 of 12 from the field in the win over Pirates for a 1-0 record.
Fellow contender Adamson University also cruised to a breezy 74-56 win over Uncle Drew Cavite in their own match up to keep abreast as opening day winners. As usual, the spritely Jerom Lastimosa led the Falcons with 16 points, 3 steals and an immaculate 6 of 6 from the field.
The Green Archers and the Falcons are expected to battle it out for the title in this six-team tournament.
The third match up was won by Davao’s Team Blanca’s over FEU-Junex Tuna 83-69. Tosh Sessay led the Blanca’s with 20 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and 5 blocks in an all-around versatility.
The tournament is sanctioned by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas under the leadership of regional director Glenn Escandor. The Davao City government is throwing its full support on the event with the Royal Mandaya Hotel backing up.
