PSA Cup: Capital1 seizes top seed; Say Chiz escapes SGA

MANILA, Philippines – The Capital1 Solar Boys and the Say Chiz Smileys picked up close wins to conclude the elimination round on a high note in the 2024 Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday, April 9.

The Solar Boys claimed the No. 1 seed after fending off the Smart Sports Scribes in a battle of the top two squads, 69-66, while the Smileys escaped with a comeback 73-71 win against the Strong Group Athletics Press Row Bros. 

Up by two, 68-66, Capital1 produced a defensive brilliance when the team was able to strip a driving Julio Sampedro of UAAP Varsity Channel to prevent a game-tying shot.

The STAR's Bryan Ulanday the split his free throws with a fraction of a second left to seal the deal for Capital1, which finished the eliminations with a 5-1 record in the tournament that’s among the projects of PSA head Nelson Beltran, also of the STAR.

Capital1, however, led by as many as nine, 66-57, midway through the closing quarter after Ulanday knocked down a wing triple.

However, Smart did not surrender easily, clapping back with eight unanswered points capped off by Spin.ph's Reuben Terrado's three-point play to make it 66-65 with two minutes to go.

Aldo Aviñante paced the Solar Boys with 22 points, while Ulanday chipped in 15 for the squad backed by Mandy and Milka Romero, Bulakan Mayor Vergel Meneses, Uratex and Rebel Sports. 

On the losing side, Cignal's AJ Bolando had a 26-point performance, while Sampedro added 15 markers built on five triples as the Sports Scribes ended up second with a 4-2 record.

Spin.ph's Reuben Terrado tallied a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double for the Danny Espiritu, Headstart Sports Academy, and BaliPure-backed team.

Meanwhile, in the second game, the Smileys leaned on an 11-3 run to pull the rug from under SGA, which was seeking its first win of the tournament.

Jeric Lopez drove from the left flank and nailed a tough floater with one second left to lift the Smileys to the victory and a 3-3 card to end up third in the standings.

He recorded a game-high 27 points, collared nine rebounds, dished out four assists, and committed five steals.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer's Jonas Terrado