The Filipino-Chinese Veterans Basketball Association bounced back from a heartbreaking loss to ZAAP of Bangkok on Thursday by routing Hat Yai of Thailand, 50-32, in the 70-and-above division of the 34th ASEAN Seniors Basketball Tournament on Friday, September 19, in Tangerang City, Indonesia.
Eager to redeem themselves after being dethroned by ZAAP in a narrow 37-35 defeat, the Fil-Chinese seniors came out sharp and quickly established control, building a commanding halftime lead that they protected until the final buzzer.
Former national team standout Ricky Poblete spearheaded FCVBA’s balanced attack with 16 points, while Rain or Shine co-team owner and team godfather Terry Que, along with former Chiang Kai Shek College star Eduard Tio, chipped in 10 points apiece in what was their most impressive showing so far in the six-day tournament.
FCVBA, also backed by Ironcon Builders chief Jimi Lim, must now defeat ASABA of Indonesia to secure a runner-up finish in the five-team field.
ZAAP, meanwhile, has already clinched the championship with a flawless 4-0 record.
Aside from 75-year-old Que, Lim, and Tio, other members of the FCVBA squad include James Chua, Achit Kaw, Secinando Santos, Julio Cruz, and Danny Ching—stalwarts who previously found success in the 50-and-above and 60-and-above divisions of the annual tourname
