Benilde downs Dasmariñas in Asiabasket campaign opener

The Benilde Blazers opened their campaign in the Asiabasket Championship with a 75-68 victory against home team Dasmariñas Monarchs on Friday at the Dasmariñas Arena.

Tony Ynot led the youth-laden squad with 19 points on top of seven rebounds and four assists, while Emman Ojoula contributed a double-double performance of 12 markers and 10 boards to steer the ship for the Rajko Toroman-mentored team.

Meanwhile, Taylor Statham went ballistic in his debut, and powered Statham Academy to a 117-96 victory against the MisOr Mustangs.

The Filipino-American cager registered a double-double of 40 points and 24 rebounds, on top of six assists, two steals, and one block as the California-based Statham Academy cruised to an early Group A lead at 1-0.

It was all Statham Academy right from the get-go, building a 64-46 lead at the halftime mark with Statham leading the way.

On the other hand, Makati Circus Music Festival and Shawarma Shack were also victorious on the opening day.

Makati Circus banked on the hot hands of Jan Dominic Formento to pull off a 93-79 triumph against Pilipinas Aguilas to join Statham Academy as the early leaders of Group A.

Formento made nine of his field goal attempts to torch the Aguilas with 28 points laced with two assists, two steals, and one rebound while Jaymark Lloren and JR Cadot provided the help with 14 and 12 markers, respectively.

Domark Matillano and Ik Akpuru, on the other hand, joined forces to propel Shawarma Shack to a stunning 84-78 come-from-behind win against the Gerald Anderson-led Corsa Tires.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News