ZAMBOANGA Valientes will target their second straight win when they take on De La Salle in a battle of two champion teams in the 3rd Gov. Ann K. Hofer Open Invitational Basketball Tournament in Ipil Zamboanga Sibugay.
The Valientes, winner of the Asian Tournament grand finals, battle a Green Archers side on Tuesday night that is coming from a 60-57 heartbreaker against Basilan-Starhorse at the Cultural &Sports Center.
With Sam Deguara and former PBA players Vic Manuel and Mike Tolomia on the firing end, Zamboanga nipped NCAA men’s basketball runner up College of St. Benilde, 95-91.
READ: Vic Manuel, Kyt Jimenez reunite with Valientes for Zamboanga meet
But the Valientes are expected to have their hands full against the Green Archers, the UAAP Season 86 champion, as the Taft-based school almost pulled the rug from under the Starhorse.
With veteran Mike Philips and incoming players Jacob Cortez and Kean Baclaan taking charge, La Salle gave Starhorse a big scare in the endgame.
Cortez drained a three-pointer that put the Green Archers to within 60-57, and almost sent the game into overtime had Baclaan not missed on contested three by Renzo Navarro.
Former Barangay Ginebra stalwart Jervy Cruz knocked down five from beyond the arc and finished with 15 points to pace Basilan.
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