Matthew Aquino finally showed what he can do for Shinshu, giving efficient minutes in the Brave Warriors’ 93-52 rout of B2 team Bambitious Nara in the 97th Emperor’s Cup, Saturday at Kishiwada City Gymnasium in Osaka, Japan.
Aquino played the last seven minutes and 31 seconds of the game, finishing with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field and 3-of-6 from the charity stripe along with two rebounds and a block.
Seeing Aquino for the first time, Nara guard Kensuke Tamai tried to attack the 6-foot-8 Filipino-Japanese immediately. He then got swatted away for his effort.
Aquino then constantly posted up Keisuke Minori, consistently scoring on him and drawing fouls much to the joy of the Shinshu bench.
Shinshu did not let up against Nara in the middle quarters. That paved the way for an extended garbage time as the Brave Warriors led 67-42 entering the final frame.
Josh Hawkinson led Shinshu with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Point guard Yuta Osaki scattered 17 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
Korean Yang Jaemin also proved his worth with 16 points built on two treys with seven rebounds.
Shinshu will next face Ray Parks and Nagoya tomorrow at 12:00 NN.
Takuya Komoda was the only Bambitious player in double-digits with 10 points. Spaniard David Doblas, meanwhile, added nine points and eight rebounds.
