CISTM Pythons, CASBE Owls ignite PLM men’s basketball campaigns with victories

With the opening tip, the hardwood sprang to life as the College of Information Systems and Technology Management (CISTM) Pythons and the College of Architecture and Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE) Owls launched their respective 2026 PLM basketball campaigns on a triumphant note in the men’s division at Rajah Sulayman Gymnasium, Oct. 7.

The opening games saw contrasting victories as CISTM Pythons routed CPT Pirates, 63–23, while CASBE Owls edged the CA Great Hawks in a nail-biting 34–33 finish, showcasing the intensity of a down-to-the-wire battle and the dominance of a one-sided match.

Right from the moment the whistle blew from the opening buzzer, CISTM Pythons pulled ahead with their stifling attack, stringing together a 20-0 burst as the CPT Pirates struggled to find their rhythm and break through the Pythons’ defensive setup.

Despite five quick points from the Pirates, the Pythons retaliated with an 18–0 run that ballooned their lead to 43–5 at halftime, while the Pirates’ late 13–3 rally proved insufficient to overcome the massive deficit as Argus Joseph Alday led the Pythons with 22 points to seal a commanding 63–23 victory.

In the following match, CASBE Owls seized control as Will Abariso spearheaded an 18–4 run, exploiting CA Great Hawks' vulnerable interior defense to build a 22–9 lead before the Great Hawks mounted a comeback to narrow the gap to 24–23

Refusing to surrender their advantage, the Owls regained momentum with eight straight points, extending their lead to 32–23 through coordinated offensive plays.

However, the Great Hawks fought back with a layup and a triple to trim the deficit to four before Abariso halted the rally with a backbreaking jumper, 34–28.

In the final minute, the team chemistry of the Great Hawks unleashed another late surge with their offensive plays to threaten a comeback, but the Owls tightened their defense on the final possession to escape with a narrow 34–33 victory.

As the opening day clashes delivered both commanding and nerve-racking finishes, the men’s basketball division set the stage for more intense action as the participating colleges chase a coveted spot in the quarterfinals.