NBTC: Ballungay, Artest carry FilAm Sports to another blowout win

Jeron Artest leads Fil-Am Sports. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—FilAm Sports USA chalked up another blowout after dumping Perpetual Help JONELTA-Laguna, 86-55, in the 2019 Chooks-to-Go NBTC National Finals Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Forward Kainoa Ballungay put up his second straight double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds to power FilAm Sports.

The 6-foot-7 Ballungay, who traces his roots from Ilocos Norte, is averaging 21.5 points and 11 rebounds in two games.

FilAm Sports advanced to the Supreme 16 to face either Kai Sotto-led Ateneo or Lyceum-Cavite.

Jeron Artest, son of NBA champion Metta World Peace, added 12 points, 10 rebounds and six assists while Jalen Green chipped in 11 points and four assists a day after delivering a dazzling display in a 78-45 drubbing of AusPinoy where he had 20 points, including six electrifying dunks.

Meanwhile, FEU-Manila came back from 12 points down to edgeSt. Augustine-Pampanga, 90-86.

RJ Abarrientos led the Baby Tamaraws’ rally with 16 of his 21 points coming in the final frame.

FEU moved on to the next round where they will meet UAAP rival National University, which opened its title defense witha 90-point rout of Isabela Colleges-Cauayan.

Southern Philippine Colleges-Cagayan de Oro also won in a thriller as it stunned AusPinoy Australia, 69-67, on a buzzer-beating putback by Vance Caterbas.

Calayan Educational Foundation-Lucena also shocked Team Italy Europe Proudly Pinoy with a 69-63 squeaker while reigning NCAA champion Mapua University fended off a late fightback by Zamboanga del Sur National High School Pagadian to win, 54-46.