Ayala Land opens 7th staging of Ayala Land Basketball League, Northport’s Grey tapped as guest of honor

All 14 participating teams, together with their dashing muses, paraded at the Gators Court of the Makati Stock Exchange hardcourt to usher in the seventh edition of the Ayala Land Basketball League on Tuesday night, Oct. 15. 

The opening festivities of the weekly league supported by Pinoyliga was graced by the guest of honor, Globalport Batang Pier forward Jonathan Grey, who gave an inspiring speech to the season’s combatants.

This year’s Social Media Ambassador is Liane Marie Hernandez of Blue Stars and out Tournament Ambassador is Samantha Poblete of Active Builder

When action tipped off, back-to-back defending Ayala Land Basketball League champion Active Builders opened their campaign for a third straight crown on a high note, blasting Blazers by a 77-63 tally. 

Christian Capuli earned best player honors with 16 points, nine rebounds and three assists for Active Builders. Reggie Debulcos and Jerome Clarianes had 14 points apiece. 

Diovit Brillante and Aaron Bernardo topped all scorers for Blazers with 13 points, while Titus Mendoza wound up with 12 points in the loss. 

Meanwhile, Jim Carlon Ambayec pumped in 16 points with three assists and four steals to lead Stallions to a 75-58 rout of Sparrows in the opening day’s nightcap. 

Sean Laban tallied 12 points and six assists, with Pocholo Canapi had nine points to aid the Stallions five to their first win. Sparrows’ Mark Guico was the squad’s lone double digit scorer with 13 points, followed by Patrick Remudo and Aron Manguera with nine points apiece. 

Games in the cagefest spearheaded by the Ayala Land Basketball League are held at the Gators Court of the Makati Stock Exchange from Monday to Thursday, with two games per day from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.