Photo credit: ABL | abl.basketball
Philippines representative Zamboanga Valientes MLV (4-5) defeated the Macau Black Bears (4-5), 92-82 in the third leg of the 2023 ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) Invitational tournament on Saturday, February 4 at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
36-year-old former two-time NBA champion Mario Chalmers has joined the Zamboanga Valientes basketball team, giving them a significant boost going into the Kuala Lumpur circuit of the ABL Invitationals, which takes place from February 3-8 as they make a push to make the ABL Playoffs.
Antonio Hester led the Valientes with near double-double of 21 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and a block while Mario Chalmers with a solid ABL debut of 19 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc and 6-of-7 from the line along with 3 rebounds, game-high 7 assists and a steal in 29 minutes of play.
The Valientes will face the Cooly Bangkok Tigers on Monday, February 6 at 8:00pm. (UPDATE: PHL def. BANGKOK, 84-80)
The Scores:
ZAMBOANGA 92 - Hester 21, Chalmers 19, Sesay 12, Lingganay 11, Arthur 9, Kuwekuteye 9, Amores 6, Cariño 5, Cawaling 0, Bernado 0, Esa 0, Ferrer 0.
MACAU 82 – Abrom 27, Wade 24, Leung 18, Lao 8, Hamilton 5, Yeung 0, Leong 0.
Quarters: 21-18, 47-31, 73-63, 92-82. [GAME STATS] | [GAME HIGHLIGHTS] | [Buy PBA Jersey]
Zamboanga Valientes vs. Macau Black Bears (VIDEO)