HAT YAI, Thailand – Filipino-Chinese Veterans Basketball Association (FCVBA) teams easily downed their rivals in the 60-and-above and 65-and-above divisions in the opening of the 27th ASEAN Basketball Veterans Tournament on Monday at the Prince of Songkla University gym here.
Former PBA star Elmer Reyes and ex-La Salle standout Kenneth Yap started the day right for FCVBA as they led the swinging 60s to a 60-40 thumping of Indonesia’s ASABA in the morning match.
The 65-and-above team, on the other hand, leaned on a stellar performance from 72-year-old Zotico Tan to dump Bangkok, 42-31, for a perfect start for the delegation headed by Ironcon’s Jimi Lim, Rain or Shine’s Terry Que and Freego’s Eduard Tio.
Reyes, who rose to prominence during his stint with the Ron Jacobs-mentored Philippine team in the 80s, highlighted his 12-point show with a trey that helped FCVBA outscore the Indons, 22-11, for a 36-23 halftime.
The Indons never recovered from that jolt as FCVBA continued to score through its impressive transition plays.
The 6-foot-4 Yap likewise used his height advantage to dominate the paint, finishing in double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds for the squad bidding to extend its reign in the annual tournament to four years.
Aries Franco, another former PBA player in the team, Danny Ching, Elmer Latonio, Andrew Ongteco and Danny Co completed what Reyes and Yap started with timely baskets.
Tan led the 65s with 14 points. He was ably supported by ex-Crispa player Bong dela Cruz, Achit Kaw, Conrad Siy and James Chua.
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