Title favorite Strong Group Athletics-Manila Stars survived a hard-fighting Valenzuela Classic for its first win in the 87th Araw ng Davao Invitational Basketball Tournament on Wednesday night.
The Stars leaned on big man Al Rabeh Hussaini and former PBA standout Carl Bryan Cruz to frustrate the Valenzuelans 95-89.
Dubai Invitational veteran Francis “Trescandor” Escandor also waxed hot from the rainbow distance to complete a three-pronged scoring threat for the Stars in the tournament sanctioned by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) headed by regional chief Glenn Escandor.
Meantime, Davao Agilas hacked out a 97-92 win over Junex Tuna in the other game
Didat Hanapi led the Agilas to the hard-earned win to keep in stride with the Stars as opening day winners.
