Aztec stifles Ste. Anne in Q2, holds off late run for win

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--The Aztec Warriors leaned on a huge second quarter and crucial baskets down the stretch to turn back Ste. Anne De Beaupre, 74-61, in the main game of the opening day triple-header of the QCYBA Gold Cup at the Victoria Park Covered Court on Saturday.

Aztec almost shut down Ste. Anne in the second canto, opening the quarter on a 19-1 run to turn a 12-15 deficit at the end of the first quarter to a 31-16. Aztec would drop 27 points in the second while limiting Ste. Anne to only 10 to take a 39-25 halftime lead.

Aztec appeared to be smoothly heading to the win, but Ste. Anne still tried to comeback in the fourth period, drawing to within seven at some points, the last at 53-60 with less than five minutes left.

Timely baskets, however, helped the Warriors preserve the win.

TJ Gonzaga tallied 14 points, eight in the second quarter, while, Andrei Ingusan added 13, all in the said period, for Aztec.

Carlos Fernandez dropped 23 markers, while brother Rheyland added 20 for Ste. Anne.

Box Scores:

Aztec 74-Gonzaga 14, Ingusan 13, Torralba 12, Ul 8, Romero 7, Yayong 5, Castillo 3, Malenab 3, Pagal 2, Balandra 2, Lasala 2, Malana 2, Arcega 0, Fajardo 0, Soriano 0

Ste. Anne 61-C. Fernandez 23, R. Fernandez 20, C. Cabrera 10, Celespara 3, Martin 3, Diez 1, Ramo 1, Almazan 0, M. Cabrera 0, Carolino 0, Casil 0, Larracas 0, Rumbo 0, Singco 0

Quarterscores: 12-15, 39-25, 52-36, 74-61

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