Christian Palma of Arellano-Air21 (dark) vs Francis Allera of Hogs Breath (light). Photo by Nuki Sabio/PBA
MANILA, Philippines — Hog’s Breath Café shook off a sluggish first half and went on to rout newcomer Arellano-Air21, 80-69, in the second game of the 2013 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup triple header Thursday.
The Razorbacks, who picked up a win in their opening game the new season, turned the game around in the third using a 13-4 run and went to outscore the Express, 30-9, in that period.
They were just up by a point when Adamson standout Jansen Rios knocked down a triple that led to that decisive spurt with Philip Paniamogan ending it with another trey for a 51-41 cushion.
“The players are still getting to know each other. But their desire to prove themselves got us really going,” said Hog’s Breath Café coach Caloy Garcia afterwards.
Garcia, also Letran’s head coach in the NCAA, admitted that he was heavily relying on his shooters as his big men are still tied with the Knights as the collegiate league heads into the final four.
Former pro Francis Allera led all scorers with 25 points while Paniamogan had 21, four assists and two steals for the Razorbacks, who forced the Chiefs to 29 turnovers that earned them 33 points.
Arellano U dictated the tempo in the first half and even enjoyed a 36-34 lead at halftime. But a horrendous 2-of-8 shooting in the third took its toll.
Rocky Acidre, Chiefs’ former starting guard in the NCAA, led the Express, which failed to capitalize on a 42-31 edge on rebounds, with 16 points while Levi Hernandez added 12.