Continuing to spew fire, the Supportsave Dragons made a rousing debut in the Elite Classic after they torched the SSI Warriors, 68-45, last Sunday in the Tanduay Athletics E-Leagues for Basketball Season 13 at the City Sports Club Cebu-Gym.
The Dragons, thus, remained unbeaten dating back to last year that saw them complete an amazing 16-0 run en route to copping the EVO League crown.
With the title run, Supportsave was elevated to the tough Elite Classic competition and the Dragons showed they are up to the task by dominating the Warriors right from the opening tip.
Niño Belande, last year’s Finals and Season MVP in the EVO League, carried the Dragons on his shoulders, pocketing the Tanduay Best Player of the Game (TBPG) award by piling up 20 points, nine rebounds, five steals, three assists and one blocked shot.
Justin Marie Mier and Germain Jo Guarisma backed Belande with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Jose Carlo Amimita topped SSI with 14 points, while Kevin Charles Sanchez pitched in 11.
In other Elite Classic games, the Accenture Sharks pulled off a lopsided 70-48 win over the ePerformax Reds, while the last year’s losing finalists Lexmark Stallions escaped the Sykes Pioneers in a low-scoring duel, 38-36.
TBPG winner Junas Marion paced the Sharks with 14 points, while Archie Brian Vincent Batua donated 11 markers.
Nolan Dela Peña led the Reds with 15 markers and Patrick Anthony Ybañez had 10.
Sylvester Millevo, on the other hand, came away with TBPG accolade versus the Pioneers as he topped the Stallions with 11 points, nine rebounds, three steals and one block.
Jhoniel Geraldizo spearheaded Sykes with 17 points.
In the lone EVO League game, the Dyninno Jets bucked a depleted lineup to nose out the debuting Shearwater Health Crusaders, 43-41, with Kenneth Babor claiming the TBPG honors with 11 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Jedhison Palomaria and Val Quiapot added 10 each for Dyninno, which played with only six players.
Bryle Albert Ampong scored 12 markers to lead Shearwater.