JALEN Green played true to expectations as he powered Filam Sports USA to a breezy 78-45 win over AusPinoy Australia in the classification round of the Chooks-to-Go/NBTC National Finals last Monday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Green, the top prospect in the US recruitment class of 2020, dazzled the crowd with his aerial acrobatics to finish with 20 points, nine rebounds and three assists in the win.
Green conspired with Kainoa Ballungay as they jumped to a big lead early and never looked back to set a date with Perpetual Jonelta Laguna in the Super 32 which starts on Tuesday.
"First game syempre nagkikita yung mga bata. Ngayon lang sila maglalaro as a team from different states in the US kaya I’m glad na we won," said FilAm Sports head coach Bong Ulep.
"Medyo nung first half, di masyado makita yung chemistry, sloppy ball game as expected, pero nung second half nag-pick up naman. Medyo umayos nang konti," he added.
Ballungay added 19 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. Eli Ramos, brother of Gilas prospect Dwight Ramos, finished with 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Jasper Rentoy was the lone bright spot for AusPinoy as he finished with 19 points, six rebounds and two steals.
In the other games, Toronto's Durham Crossover took out FEU-Diliman 69-66 to forge a date with First City Providential College while the Baby Tamaraws will take on St. Augustine Institute Pampanga. Hope Christian dominated from start to finish to claim a 68-59 win over Italy Proudly Pinoy and arrange a match-up with Legazpi’s Sto. Domingo NHS. Italy, on the other hand, will face Calayan Educational Foundation from Lucena. In the final game of the night, Camp David of New Zealand came away with an 84-71 win over Top Flight Vancouver.
On Tuesday, all 32 teams will compete in a knockout tournament with the SM Mall of Asia Arena and the Palm Coast Marina hosting the hostilities. The week-long tournament from March 18 to 24 will be free of admission, with fans needing just a valid ID to enter the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
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