Zamboanga obliterates Bangkok by 45 points to build winning streak in ABL Invitational

Antonio Hester continues to dominate in the ABL. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Zamboanga scored its biggest win so far in the ABL Invitational after pummeling Bangkok by 45 points, 118-73, as the action shifted on Thursday night to the Hi-Test Arena in Batam, Indonesia.

The Valientes began pulling away in the second quarter, outscoring the Tigers, 32-18, to open a 54-37 halftime lead.

Zamboanga then delivered the execution on Bangkok in the fourth period, where the Filipino squad held the Thai club to just seven points while dropping 31.

Antonio Hester once again led the Valientes, who moved up to solo third place at 3-2 after back-to-back wins, with 26 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block off the bench.

Rudy Lingganay and James Kwekuteye each added 20 points, while Ryan Smith collected 17 markers, 24 boards, one dime, and three rejections.

Jose Nouchanthavong led the Tigers, who remained winless after five games, with 16 points, three rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

In the first game, Macau (2-3) handed Hong Kong Eastern (4-1) its first loss of the season with a 71-67 shocker, leaving Saigon (4-0) as the only undefeated team left in the competition.

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