Zamboanga and Basilan Starhorse secured back-to-back victories to open the 3rd Gov. Ann K. Hofer Open Invitational Basketball Tournament on Tuesday night at the Cultural & Sports Center in Sibugay.
Coming off a 95-91 triumph over College of St. Benilde last Monday, the Zamboanga Valientes drew crucial contributions from Vic Manuel and Malick Diouf down the stretch to fend off De La Salle University, 72-68, for a 2-0 start in the pocket tourney.
“First and foremost, I’m very happy for the entire team. Everyone worked hard for this win. I especially want to give credit to our veteran players, Vic Manuel, and our import, Malick Diouf, who played exceptional defense in the crucial final seconds,” said head coach Dick Delos Santos.
Down by six points with two minutes left, Manuel showcased his pedigree, drilling a huge triple and sinking a floater in under 25 seconds to cut the deficit down to one, 67-68, with 1:38 remaining.
On the next play, Manuel stripped Jacob Cortez and found Mike Tolomia for an easy fastbreak layup, giving the home squad a 69-68 edge with 1:15 left.
Diouf, who brought energy off the bench throughout the contest, stepped up defensively — blocking Luis Pablo and Mike Phillips on back-to-back possessions.
He then secured a crucial offensive rebound off a Manuel miss and converted a putback to extend the lead to 71-68.
The Green Archers had a chance to force overtime, but JC Macalalag missed a wide-open triple from the left corner. Manuel then split his free throws with 7.5 seconds left to seal the win as the Zamboanga Valientes finished the game on a blistering 10-0 run.
Manuel poured 10 of his team-high 17 points in the fourth quarter, while Diouf and Prince Caperal added 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Zamboanga Valientes, who 2025 senatorial candidate Col. Ariel Querubin supports.
Tolomia and Italian-Maltese center Sam Deguara each contributed seven markers, while Kyt Jimenez and Carl Bryan Cruz had five points apiece.
In the first game, Basilan won its second consecutive game, 63-60, against Letran Asenso Bancoro.
The Basilan Starhorse was coming off a 60-57 opening-day win against La Salle.
Basilan had to fend off a late comeback attempt from the Knights in the final 30 seconds of the game. Facing a six-point deficit, 55-61, Titing Manalili found Deo Cuajao for a crucial three-pointer, cutting the lead to three with 20 seconds remaining.
Jervy Cruz then split his free throws after an intentional foul by Cuajao, giving Basilan a four-point cushion. However, Letran big man Denver Omega responded with a quick basket off an inbound play, trimming the deficit to two, 60-62, with 5.8 seconds left.
The Knights had a chance to force overtime when Manalili stepped to the foul line with 1.6 seconds remaining. He missed his first attempt, then intentionally bricked the second, allowing Aaron Buensalida to secure an offensive rebound.
Buensalida quickly kicked it out to a wide-open Jun Roque in the right corner, but Roque’s three-point attempt missed badly, sealing the win for Basilan Starhorse.
Leading the way for Basilan is Gab Dagangon with 19 points and three steals.
