Fil-Chinese vets advance to three finals

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines turned the 18th ASEAN Veterans Basketball Invitational-BF Cup into a virtual all-Filipino affair as Filipino Chinese Veterans Basketball League (FCVBA) advanced to the finals in three divisions at the Marist basketball gym in Marikina late Thursday.

First to clinch a finals berth was its 60-years-and-above squad, which outsteadied last year’s champion Kuala Lumpur, 36-32, behind Rain or Shine co-team owner Terry Que.

Former MICAA player Zotico Tan and PBA legend Lim Eng Beng led FCVBA with 12 and 10 points, respectively, but it was Que who made the crucial baskets, scoring the team’s last four points to beat the Malaysians.

The Philippines is assured of retaining its 50-years division crown as FCVBA and Chinese Friendship Basketball League (PCFBL) scored contrasting wins over separate rivals to arrange a title showdown.

With Eduard Tio and former PBA stars Elmer Reyes, Ed Cordero, Leo Austria and Noli Banate on the attack, the Jimi Lim-managed FCVBA downed Singapore, 54-49.