Home team Zamboanga team started slowly but ended strong in the fourth quarter, defeating Cagayan de Oro 87-83 to open the VisMin Cup Invitational tournament, Tuesday held at the Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum in Zamboanga City.
San Beda standout James Kwetukeye and hometown guard Rudy Lingganay led the way for the Valientes in a blistering 25-11 exchange during the final quarter.
Kwetukeye and Lingganay joined forces in the payoff period, following the lead of two-time NBA champion Mario Chalmers who played earlier.
Kwetukeye and Chalmers each scored 18 points. Lingganay, who has played for several PBA teams, contributed 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
Fil-Am winger Jeremy Arthur had a solid game, scoring 16 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
Meanwhile, Renaldo Balkman played a supportive role, producing only seven points but grabbing 15 rebounds for the Valientes’ strong start in the tournament.
In the other game, Misamis Oriental-Noble Seafoods and Grill overcame a strong effort by Jermale Jones to defeat McDavid ZamPen 101-96. Commissioner Cris Bautista is overseeing the tournament.
