ARQ Batch 2001 makes triumphant comeback in SHAABAA cage war

CEBU, Philippines — After missing in action for two years, ARQ Batch 2001 made a victorious return to the Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association, launching its campaign with a 54-47 whacking of Core Pacific Batch 2000 in Division A of SHAABAA Season 29 last Sunday, May 3, at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles Arena in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

Mark Hing sizzled with a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds with two assists while Josef Reoma chipped in 10 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal for Batch 2001, which emerged as Division A champion the last time it joined Cebu’s oldest alumni-based cage league in 2023.

John Paul Cabrera also made his presence felt with eight points, five rebounds and three assists while Jason Arquisola added seven points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals despite nursing a hamstring injury.

Batch 2000 kept it close for most of the way but Batch 2001 staged a searing 9-0 rally to establish a double-digit lead, 49-38, in the final five minutes.

It was cruise control for Batch 2001 from thereon.

Jeremy Huang finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals while Afshin Ghassemi had nine points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in a losing effort for Batch 2000.

The other Division A matches were a lopsided affair.

Seven players cracked double figures as Batch 2003 obliterated 2K Cares, 100-40, while the Big Three Pizza thrashed Batch 2002, 86-56.

Wilmer Rodney Ong spearheaded Batch 2003’s 70-point annihilation of 2K Cares with a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds spiced up with four assists and three steals.

Michael Jaca and Dennis Lanorias connived for 23 points while Raymond Dennis Tan, Daryle Tan, Michail Ivan Kristoff Jo and Leandro Gollon nailed 10 markers apiece.

Tonyson Lee led Big Three Pizza’s 30-point rout of Batch 2002 with 13 points, eight rebounds, and one assist. He was backed by Mark Tam and Roderick Mangubat, who combined for 22 points, and 18 rebounds.