GENERAL Trias and Binangonan took  different paths before beating their respective opponents in the Community Basketvall Association (CBA) Founders’ Cup basketball championship at the Binangonan Recreation and Conference Center in Binangonan,  Rizal.

General Trias subdued Parañaque, 80-77, and Binangonan trounced Rizaba, 122-94, to make their presence felt in this newly-formed league headed by actor-director Carlo Maceda.

Chester Ian Melencio exploded for 30 points on 9-of-16 shooting to power the Braves to victory over the Green Berets and a winning start in this community-based  grassroots development tournament.

Haddi Porto also came up big with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Braves, who led by as many  as 22 points before holding off a late rally by the Green Berets.

Dwight Saguiguit carried the fight for Parañaque with 25 points,  including six triples.

Binangonan used a strong third quarter performance  to roll back Rizaba in the other game.

Viel Tumalon,  Ernest Oduca,  Felipe Chavez and Ivan Cuyong combined for 61 points in the Slashers'  lopsided victory over the Raptors.

Tumalon scattered 18 points and Oduca added 16 points for Binangonan, which outscored Rizaba, 35-23, in the third quarter to win pulling away. Arcilla led Rizaba with 29 markers.

The  tournament resumes on  Saturday  with a  regular doubleheader at the General Trias Sports Complex in Cavite.

The scores:

First game

General Trias Braves (80) -- Melencio 30, Porto 14, Evangelista 9,  Prudente 7, Tajonera 6, Dejito 4, Laureno 4, Docto 2, Rosales 0, Escobal 0, Alcaraz 0

Parañaque Green Berets (77) --Saguiguit 25, Sala 9, Menguez 9, Dela Cruz 8, Mangalino 7, Almeda 5, Aboludto 5, Begaso 5, Geronimo 2, Lucente 2, Indoy 0

Quarterscores:  27-7, 44-26, 57-49, 80-77.

Second game

Binangonan Slashers (122) -- Tumalon 18, Oduca 16,  Chavez 14, Cuyong 13,  Valle 9, Agulto 8,  Alade 8, Colot 7, Dionisio 7,  Abufan 6, Roca 6,  Picones 6,  Leal 4.

Rizaba Raptors (94) -- Arcilla 29,  Figuracion 16, Lodia 16, Del Rosario 8, Lu 7, Razon 7, Se 7,  Arellano 7, Peog 6, Tenorio 0, Mercado 0, Danao 0,  Penalva 0.

Quarterscores:  29-21, 57-44, 92-67, 122-94.