8-TIME FD CHAMPS TAKEN DOWN

The dynasty is well documented, so when the Class of 2006 loses in the FD Alumni Basketball Tournament, it’s kind of a big deal.

In a big pool play showdown Wednesday night in The Jungle, it was a rematch of the 2021 championship game and this time, the team of 2002/04 took down the mighty 2006 team 72-62.

2002/04 got off to a quick start, controlled the tempo and never looked back.

“First time we had all the boys back,” said veteran leader Willie Stinnett. Add other national level players like Vince Estella and Jimmy Yi and the ’02/04 boys are always in contention. “We had control the whole game, but they kept fighting back. We set the tempo though.”

As for the 8-timers, they fought hard despite not having big man Rob Leon Guerrero, always coming within striking distance, but could never take the lead.

Estella led a balanced attack with 16 points for ’02/04 while Stinnett (13 points), Yi (12 points) and Jia Wang with 10 points added to the balance.

2006 had big games from both Julius Yu and A.J. Reyes who had identical 21 points with five 3-pointers.

Could this be a preview of yet another championship game between the two powerhouse teams?

Stinnett says there are other tough teams out there such as ’16 and ’12. He just hopes his team gets another shot at the championship game.

“Once you’re there (in the championship), we’ll just roll the dice,” Stinnett added.

OTHER GAMES

1998/200 67, 1991/92 45 (Tana 28 pts, 8 3-ptrs)

2016 41, 2012 38 (Sudo 14 pts)

2008 47, 2009 43 (Baza 16 pts)

1988 32, 1984/85 27 (Cooper-Nurse 8 pts)

2018 38, 2013 34 (Calvo 14 pts, Gaitan 12 pts; Onedera 18 pts)

430-5 51, 1996/97 (Alvarez 21 pts; Acda 22 pts)

1979/80 36, 1975 22

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