Carl Cruz dropped a personal-best 28 points as Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas vented its frustration on Mono Vampire BC of Thailand, 115-102, in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2017, Sunday in Chenzhou Hunan, China.
The victory, which improved their card to 2-1, serves as a fitting way to bounce back from last night’s loss to Sareyyet Ramallah of Palestine.
The 25-year-old Cruz simply could not be denied, nailing eight of his team’s 14 three-pointers on his way to 28. Isaiah Austin contributed 27 points and 19 rebounds, while Kiefer Ravena added 27 markers with seven assists.
The Filipino cagers stepped on the gas right from the start, leaving Mono stunned. LA Revilla’s breakaway lay-up off a Mono Vampire error gave Chooks-to-Go a favorable 27-12 lead with 3:20 remaining the first quarter.
Mono Vampire BC made strides come the next period, all thanks to their balanced attack led by Mike Singletary and Ratdech Kruatiwa. The latter’s three-pointer inched his side to within a point, 45-44, with 2:52 in the said frame.
The Vampire showed they can keep up with Chooks come the second half, but the Filipino side was too much. Austin’s dunk off Ravena’s lob helped Chooks repost a 15-point lead, 107-92, with 2:08 left to play — enough to put Mono away.
Jeron Teng continued to impress for Chooks, as he finished with 17 points, five boards, and three dimes in nearly 33 minutes of action.
Singletary, a former PBA import with the Barako Bull and the San Miguel Beermen, led Mono Vampire BC with 32 points and 10 caroms. Kruatiwa and Filipino-American Jason Brickman, who also played for Mighty Sports, chipped in 17 apiece.
Thailand national team stalwart Chanachon Klahan added 10 markers for Mono Vampire BC.
Chooks shot an excellent 59.4 percent from the field, with most of their shots accounted from the 22 assists they produced. Moreover, the Filipinos have finally won a game in rebounds, 40-36. However, they committed 19 errors.
Chooks to Go will have a day of rest tomorrow before facing Petrochimi of Iran on Tuesday, September 26, at 9:45 PM.
The Scores:
Chooks-to-Go 115 – Cruz 28, Austin 27, Ravena 24, Jero. Teng 17, Revilla 9, Manuel 3, Tamsi 3, Jose 2, Vosotros 2, Jeri. Teng 0, Torres 0.
Mono 102 – Singletary 32, Brickman 17, Kruatiwa 17, Klahan 10, Apiromvilaichai 8, Sunthonsiri 7, Phuangla 6, Sekteera 3, Chanthachon 2, Boonyai 0.
Quarterscores: 31-22, 57-51, 81-77, 115-101.
