Mike Nieto lifts Red Team to NBTC All-Star Game win

Ivan Saldajeno
By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG--In a rare moment, Mike Nieto battled his twin brother Matt.

And Mike prevailed.

The recently-crowned UAAP juniors basketball MVP turned back his twin brother and even their coach Joe Silva as the Red Team trounced the White Team, 106-97, in the NBTC All-Star Game at the Meralco Gym.

The Red Team banked on a third quarter run to pull away for good in the match pitting some of the best high school players in the country.

Mike Nieto, who added an All-Star Game MVP to his awards this year, finished with 16 points and five rebounds. Jollo Go and Brandrey Bienes added 15 each.

J.V. Gallego led the White Team with 16 points, for rebounds, and five assists. Matt Nieto added 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists.

Box Scores:

Red 106-Nieto 16, Go 15, Bienes 15, Balanza 11, Yu 11, Aguirre 6, Gob 6, Manalang 6, Caracut 6, Dyke 6, Lee 4, Tungcab 4

White 97-Gallego 16, Nieto 14, Rangel 13, Estrella 12, Diputado 11, Comboy 9, Banzon 7, Tibayan 4, Lugo 4, Abatayo 4, Alas 3, Yongco 0

Quarterscores: 26-21, 47-50, 80-65, 106-97