DEMARCUS Cousins hardly flexed his muscles as Malik Diouf took over for Zamboanga Valientes in their 91-83 win over the Macau Black Bears at the start of The Asian Tournament final leg Monday.
Cousins, the four-time NBA All-Star, played less than 10 minutes and finished with three points and four rebounds in his first ever game on Philippine soil at the Zamboanga Coliseum.
But no problem for the Valientes as Diouf turned in a monster game of 32 points and 29 rebounds for the host team, which never looked back after finally wresting the lead in the second quarter for a 48-37 lead at the break.
Import Ricky Bryce also had a double-double showing for the Valientes with 26 points and 11 rebounds.
The local side was led by veteran guard Mike Tolomia with 10 points and 10 assists, Rudy Lingganay added eight, while new recruit Mac Belo finished with three points in his first outing for Zamboanga.
Tyrone Nesby IV led the Black Bears with 19 points and five rebounds.
Action continues on Tuesday as the Valientes face the Aces in the main game of a doubleheader.
The Aces are coming off a 76-72 loss to the Vanta Black Dragons during the opener.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
