FARM FRESH-Letran eased past Sherilin Unisol City of Naga, 101-71, to go 2-0 in the 2023 Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League 18-Under Battle of the Champions on Monday at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga.
Coming off an equally-dominant 93-67 win against Max Ballers Davao on opening day, the Milkers, the NCR champions, did not let up against their Visayan counterparts, en route to taking the solo lead in this tournament co-presented by SCD and Dumper party-list and supported by J Project Clothings, MDC, Bluesky Advertising, NET 25, Wcube Solutions Inc., Hotel SOGO, and Converge.
The top two teams by the end of the elimination round will advance to the best-of-three finals which begins on July 28 also at the same venue.
Andy Gemao made his much-awaited return to Farm Fresh-Letran after being with University of the Philippines for its Serbia camp. The NCAA Season 98 Juniors Basketball Finals MVP showed no rust, leading the way for the Milkers with 15 points.
Arwin Alforque and Juhniel Dela Rama chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively, as every player fielded by Allen Ricardo scored in the contest.
Sherilin-Unisol, who fell to 0-2 in the five-team meet, was paced by Jerome Arboiz with 13 points and seven rebounds.
In the other game, Max Ballers evened its slate to 1-1 after blasting Cagayan de Oro, 89-74.
Dam De Guzman showed the way for the Davao-based team with 24 points and 16 rebounds while Wilhalm Cabonillas also notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Karlo Estomo also fired 25 points with nine boards for Max Ballers.
Rex Alcover led the debuting Higalas with 17 points and six rebounds.
