LOS BAÑOS -- After being given a rude heat check by Sareyyet Ramallah the night before, Chooks-to-Go quickly returned to its winning ways with a 115-102 win over Mono Vampire in Day 3 of the FIBA Asia Champions Cup at the Chenzhou Sports Center in Chenzhou, China on Sunday.
The Philippine side pummeled the Thai club at the start of the game, opening a 27-13 lead late into the first quarter.
Mono then mounted a comeback bid in the second quarter, drawing to within three, 51-54, late in the period before an Alfrancis Tamsi triple extended the gap to six by halftime.
Chooks-to-Go looked to pull away again midway through the third frame, reopening a double-digit spread, 77-67, with 2:55 to go in the period.
But Mono still put up a fight, cutting the lead down to four, 81-77, at the end of the period.
Chooks-to-Go finally pulled away in the fourth quarter as the team held off any gallant stand from Mono in the payoff period.
Carl Cruz dropped 28 points on eight triples with two rebounds, while Isaiah Austin added 27 points, 19 rebounds, one assist, and four blocks for Chooks-to-Go, which moved up to 2-1.
Kiefer Ravena chipped in 24 points, two caroms, seven assists, and two steals, while Jeron Teng contributed 17 markers, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Mike Singletary fired 32 points, while Jason Brickman and Ratdech Kruatiwa each got 17 for Mono, which fell to 1-1.
Chooks-to-Go will take the Monday off before swinging back to action on Tuesday night against Petrochimi.
Box Scores:
Chooks-to-Go 115-Cruz 28, Austin 27, Ravena 24, Jeron Teng 17, Revilla 9, Manuel 3, Tamsi 3, Vosotros 2, Jose 2, Torres 0, Jeric Teng 0
Mono Vampire 102-Singletary 32, Brickman 17, Kruatiwa 17, Klahan 10, Apiromvilaichai 8, Sunthonsiri 7, Phuangla 6, Sekteera 3, Chanthachon 2, Boonyai 0
Quarterscores: 31-22, 57-51, 81-77, 115-102 (PNA)
