THE Zamboanga Valientes got off to a rousing start in its Asia Pacific Basketball Tournament campaign in Australia.
The Philippine side exploded for 42 points in the fourth quarter to turn a close game around and score a 115-95 win over BTO MBL All Stars at the Waverley Basketball Stadium in Melbourne on Friday.
Import Malik Miller showed the way for the Valientes with 31 points, Matt Johns added 19, while former PBA players Mike Tolomia and Doug Kramer had 16 and 15, respectively.
Tolomia hit four from beyond the arc and Johns three from the same spot for Valientes, which led 73-72 entering the final quarter.
Former Barangay Ginebra center Greg Slaughter had seven points in his return stint with Zamboanga after suiting up in the 35th Dubai International Basketball Tournament earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Anthony Williams hit for a game-high 32 points and Elijah Davis with 20 for the All Stars, who led the Valientes at halftime, 46-41.
The Valientes of Zamboanga City councilor Junnie Navarro will take on the BSBL Guardians next.
The Guardians routed the Black Rhino, 84-65.
In other results, Acba Dragons routed Melbourne Celtic, 114-97, and Conker Athletica turned back UAC West, 100-98.
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