JETT Vidal of Zambales drives against Kenneth Ighalo of Cagayan Valley. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Mark Bringas scored with 3.8 seconds remaining to lift the Cagayan Rising Suns to the early lead of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup with a 91-87 decision over the Zambales M-Builders last night at Arellano Gym.
With the clock winding down, Bringas received the inbound pass from John Pinto then fired the jumper that sealed the second straight victory for Rising Suns, who allowed the Builders to get back in the game after a dominant first half.
Rookie Don Trollano, Cagayan’s hero in an 83-74 win over Cafe France in the opener last week, topscored again with 27 points. Kenneth Ighalo scored 20 and Pinto had 12 and 11 rebounds.
The Rising Suns opened with a 17-4 run and stayed in front until the Builders, starring Grayann Mendoza, Bryan Cruz, and Jeff Vidal, forged ahead at 74-72.
But the Rising Suns responded with nine straight points capped by a Trollano three-pointer for a five-point edge. The Builders tied it at 87 before Bringas came through.
The Builders, who won last week over Derulo Accelero, 79-73, fell to 1-1.
Earlier, Boracay Rum, starring Chris Banchero, overpowered Derulo Accelero, 86-59, while Jumbo Plastic outplayed NU-BDO, 76-56, behind Jopher Custodio, ex-pro Jason Ballesteros, Jan Colina and Marion Magat.
Banchero, the Filipino-Italian guard, finished with 15 points and four assists in a grand debut for the Waves.
“This team is not about me. I want to win a championship for Boracay and I have to get my teammates involved,” said Banchero, a former Asean Basketball League Finals MVP.
Tireless forward Mark Belo was also instrumental for the Waves after scattering 10 of his 16 points in a huge scoring tear during the third period that eventually took the sting out of the Oilers.
Custodio poured 15 of his 25 points in the second half, Colina had 15 points, four assists and three steals, Jason Ballesteros also scored 15 and Marion Magat contributed 10 and eight boards for the Giants.
Star forward Bobby Ray Parks didn’t show up after the two-time UAAP MVP attended a personal commitment, according to NU-BDO coach Eric Altamirano.
The scores:
CAGAYAN VALLEY 91—Trollano 27, Ighalo 20, Celada 16, Pinto 12, Bringas 8, Caperal 4, Mercader 2, MAbulac 2, Saycon 0, Foronda 0.
M-BUILDERS 87—Mendoza 15, Cruz 14, Tolomia 12, Gomez 10, Ignacio 9, Vidal 9, Pogoy 7, Doligon 7, Alabanza 2, Saret 2, Maniago 0, Wong 0.
Quarters: 22-13; 42-37; 67-66; 91-87