ROS owner shines in ASEAN vets meet

MANILA, Philippines – The Filipino-Chinese Veterans Basketball Association (FCVBA) 65-above team dominated Hatyai of Thailand, 58-37, yesterday to sweep the group elims and become the first squad to reach the finals of the 25th ASEAN Veterans Basketball Tournament at the YMCA gym in Binondo.

Rain or Shine co-team owner Terry Que and Ironcon Builders owner Jimi Lim turned in a pair of superb games with the former scattering 21 points and dishing off five assists.

MICAA veteran Zotico Tan and Lim backed him up with 10 and eight points, respectively, as FCVBA topped its division.

Two other FCVBA teams reached the crossover semis after the 50-above and 60-above team scored similar lopsided wins.

Led by former Crispa center Noli Banate and Julio Cruz, FCVBA’s 60-above squad crushed Hatyai of Thailand, 50-27, while Allan Caidic and Bong Tan led the 50-above quintet to a 77-49 drubbing of Meteor of Indonesia in the event sponsored by Freego Jeans, Philippine Airlines, Ironcon Builders and Rain or Shine.

Atoning for a so-so showing in the team’s 42-25 rout of Sarawak of Malaysia last Monday, the 6-foot-5 Banate tallied 10 points and eight rebounds this time to bag the Freego Player of the Game award.