QUEZON CITY--The Stalwarts banked on the late heroics of Chris Banchero to beat the Greats, 99-94, in the PBA All-Star Blitz Game that capped Day 1 of the PBA All-Star Weekend at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday night.
The Alaska guard sparked the game-turning 8-0 run for the Stalwarts to get the win against the Greats in a special exhibition where legends, current players, and top gunners from the D-League teamed up.
The clutch moment also helped give Manny Pacquiao a win in his first PBA All-Star Weekend stint.
With Mahindra's playing coach, a late replacement for LA Revilla, on the floor, the Stalwarts raced to a 20-9 lead behind a 12-0 run capped by his layup off a feed from former star Nic Belasco.
But the Greats slowly crawled back and turned the game to a close encounter only to witness Banchero surge in the endgame.
Banchero only had six points in the match, even less than Pacquiao's nine-point output, but his late baskets mattered for the Stalwarts.
Pacquiao, who started the game for the Stalwarts, actually had his best game so far in his pro basketball career as he had a 4-of-9 shooting with two assists all in the first half.
Raymond Almazan led the Stalwarts with 23 points featuring two slams and ten rebounds in the game where a dunk counts as a triple.
Ian Sangalang tallied 14 markers for the Greats.
Box Scores:
Box Scores:
Stalwarts 99-Almazan 23, Tolomia 14, Belasco 11, Pacquiao 9, Magsanoc 8, Cruz 8, Banchero 6, Robinson 6, Patrimonio 6, Semerad 4, Escoto 2, Banal 2
Greats 94-Sangalang 14, Grey 13, Belo 10, Ahanmisi 10, Locsin 10, Daquioag 8, Pogoy 7, Semerad 7, Ravena 6, Bugia 6, Abarrientos 3
Quarterscores: 25-20, 41-43, 66-71, 99-94
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Greats 94-Sangalang 14, Grey 13, Belo 10, Ahanmisi 10, Locsin 10, Daquioag 8, Pogoy 7, Semerad 7, Ravena 6, Bugia 6, Abarrientos 3
Quarterscores: 25-20, 41-43, 66-71, 99-94
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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