Dubai: Ninth conference champions UAE Exchange, with Roy Lura (17 points) leading seven players into double figures, crushed Dubai Drydocks 112-87 in the second round elimination series of the PBA Dubai's winter basketball tournament for the Giordano Cup.
The Exchangers displayed a variety of offensive firepower that saw all but three players (Callao 9, Suba 7, Mendoza 6) relentlessly puncturing the hoop that resulted in devastating double figures.
Habelito added 15 points, Elim 14, Montalbo 12, Cabrera, Medina, and Velasco contributed 11 points apiece as UAE Exchange paved their way towards the semifinals.
Suba's directorship of the Exchangers' offensive patterns earned his heroics with a remarkable 15 assists five each in the first three quarters, a league record. Dubai Drydocks, with only seven players at hand, tried to keep the Exchangers at bay with sporadic fires from their frontlines and paid the price, coming out limping with 42-54 half-time deficit.
Gary Hernandez, who was 0 out of 7 in the field during the first quarter, came back in the ensuing three quarters, firing on all cylinders. But his game-high 25 points including 6 three pointers was not enough to carry the scoring load for the undermanned Drydocks.
Fixtures
9am: Barangay Satwa v NIL
10.40am: Dubai Marine v Metropolitan Hotel.
12.20pm: Chicka Grill v Tropang Batangas.
2pm: Maharlika/Coriner Cargo v PIB (Class A).
3.40pm: Leader Sports v PIB (Class B).
5.20pm: Digital Clues v Dubai Drydocks.
