The Wait is Over: Season 69 Opens with Statement Wins and Brutal Blowouts
Opening Day in USA IV.61 delivered everything a fan could ask for huge scoring nights, defensive dominance, overtime drama, and a few early warning signs for struggling teams. Here's your complete rundown of Day 1 action across both conferences.
Game Recaps
Pandesal 138 – 53 Oklahoma Jeets
Pandesal opened their season with a devastating 85-point win over the Jeets. The offensive balance was surgical, and their defense smothered Oklahoma from the tip. A warning shot to the Big 8?
Top Performers:
Pandesal: D. Graham – 24 PTS (9-14 FG, 4-6 3PT), +44
Oklahoma Jeets: D. Guajardo – 22 PTS, 3 STL
Pickles Bluebirds7D2 106 – 97 Frisco Knights
A composed second-half performance led Pickles to a solid win over Frisco. Their depth and passing were the difference-makers, with multiple contributors chipping in.
Top Performers:
Bluebirds: M. Miller – 20 PTS (17 MIN), 2 3PT
Frisco: M. Colon – 24 PTS (10-14 FG), 3 AST
Oklahoma City Thunder 87 – 64 Los pokeros C.B.
After a tight first half, Thunder dominated the third quarter to build a decisive lead. Boggs was lights out from deep, and their interior defense held firm.
Top Performers:
Thunder: B. Boggs – 22 PTS (4-7 3PT), 8 REB
Pokeros: T. Watkins – 21 PTS, 6 REB
San Pascual 97 – 89 Bucket Getters (OT)
The most competitive game of the Big 8 slate saw San Pascual fight back to force OT and then take control. Talavera and Hogan took over late with crucial buckets and free throws.
Top Performers:
San Pascual: N. Talavera – 29 PTS, 4-8 3PT
Bucket Getters: J. Holden – 23 PTS, 8 REB
LakersSHOW 120 – 109 NTX Fire (OT)
Overtime magic in the Great 8. LakersSHOW outscored NTX Fire 18-7 in the extra frame behind Renner’s shooting and Swimm’s domination on the boards.
Top Performers:
LakersSHOW: T. Swimm – 18 PTS, 24 REB, +23
NTX Fire: J. Jude – 33 PTS (5-7 3PT), 10 REB
D-Town Flyers 132 – 92 Aronian Dynasty
A team effort powered D-Town Flyers past Aronian with authority. Their fluid ball movement and unselfish offense resulted in one of the day’s most complete performances.
Top Performers:
D-Town Flyers: I. Vaquero – 21 PTS (10-13 FG), 10 AST
Aronian Dynasty: J. Criales – 29 PTS (13-24 FG), 8 REB
New Orleans Jazz 160 – 75 Montreal Huskies
New Orleans exploded for 160 points in a ruthless performance, led by El-Haroun’s record-breaking stat line. Huskies had no answers on either end.
Top Performers:
Jazz: S. El-Haroun – 52 PTS, 11-19 3PT, 5 STL, 5 BLK
Huskies: H. Jackson – 13 PTS (3-4 3PT), 8 REB
SMB All Star 102 – 80 Dominance
SMB outclassed Dominance with efficient offense and steady defense. While Wray poured in 32 points for Dominance, he got little help elsewhere.
Top Performers:
SMB: M. Geary – 17 PTS, 7 AST
Dominance: J. Wray – 32 PTS (13-24 FG), 7 REB
Key Storylines After Day 1
Pandesal and New Orleans Jazz both posted eye-popping blowouts and look like early favorites in their respective conferences.
D-Town Flyers showcased depth and chemistry, while San Pascual and LakersSHOW proved they can win tight games.
Oklahoma Jeets, Aronian Dynasty, and Montreal Huskies had disastrous openers and will need to adjust fast to avoid falling behind.