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| Boxing star Eumir Marcial had an impressive pro basketball debut. PSC-POC Media Pool (file photo) |
MANILA--Eumir Marcial can ball!
The Olympic-style boxing champ and top pro-rank prospect showed on Friday night that he too can swish a ball into the hoop, helping Zamboanga take a 96-89 win against Sibugay on Day 1 of the Fiesta Pilar Pilipinas Championship at the Centralli Sports and Events Center in Zamboanga City.
Marcial finished with 11 points and four rebounds to backstop Marc Samsani, who led the Valientes with 17 points, 16 rebounds, and two assists in the tournament organized by the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup.
Both players were named Men of the Match.
"Sa tingin ko, sa game na ito, malaki ang naitulong ko. Una, ginawa ko yung best ko para makapag-defense ako, makakuha ng bola, at di masyado makakuha ng error," said Marcial, who added that scoring that much in his pro basketball debut was not on top of his mind.
In the Fiesta Pilar tourney opener, McDavid-ZamPen made quick work of Iligan-AO with a 76-56 win.
Kaiwa Sabdulla led ZamPen with 18 points, two rebounds, and two assists.
ZamPen and Sibugay clash in the first game of the Saturday doubleheader at 7:30 p.m., while Zamboanga welcomes debuting MisOr, led by Teytey Teodoro, at 9 p.m.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
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