Zambales turns back Wang’s

JUNE Dizon (middle) of Cebuana Lhuillier puts up a shot against Mark Sarangay and Josan Nimes of Café France. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Joshua Saret helped the Zambales M-Builders mount a strong finishing kick for a narrow 76-74 win over Wang’s Basketball yesterday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at Ynares Arena in Pasig City.

Saret scored 12 of his 15 points in a late charge that allowed the Builders to pick up their second victory in three outings.

“We didn’t defend well. But it’s a good thing we won because it will build our confidence going into our next game,” said Zambales coach Junel Mendiola, visibly unhappy with the way the Builders squandered a double-digit lead.

The Couriers seemed headed for a reversal after erasing an 11-point deficit for a 64-66 count early in the fourth period.

But Saret, combining efforts with John Ray Alabanza and Mike Tolomia, scored in bunches that provided enough cushion for the Builders to frustrate the Couriers.

They also recovered lost ground following a previous 87-91 defeat at the hands of the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns.

Bryan Cruz finished with 12 points, Alabanza added 11 and 12 rebounds, Tolomia had 11 and Roger Pogoy 10 for the Builders, who bucked a lethargic start to seize control in the middle quarters.

In other games, ex-pro Francis Allera scored 25 points and Philip Paniamogan added 21 on top of four assists and two steals as Hog’s Breath Café subdued Arellano U-Air21, 80-69, while Eloy Poligrates had 23 points and Jens Knuttel added 12 and 10 assists as Café France posted a 70-67 win over Cebuana Lhuillier.

The scores:

First Game

ZAMBALES M-BUILDERS 76—Saret 15, Cruz 12, Alabaza 11, Tolomia 11, Pogoy 10, Ignacio 7, Gomez 6, Vidal 3, Doligon 1, Pinas 0, Mendoza 0, Wong 0.

WANG’S BASKETBALL 74—Juico 19, Gomez 18, Banal 16, Acosta 10, Cerico 0, Galliguez 0,Namocatcat 0, Sanchez 0, Onde 0, Castro 0, Macuha 0.

Quarters: 16-17; 36-31; 59-50; 76-74.

Second Game

HOG’S BREATH CAFÉ 80—Allera 25, Paniamogan 21, Sanga 11, Pasculado 10, Rios 6, Bonifacio 3, Austria 2, Terso 2, Robles 0, Rabalo 0, Macasaet 0, Bartolo 0.

ARELLANO U-AIR21 69—Acidre 16, Hernandez 12, Tayongton 8, Bartolo 8, Bangga 8, Ciriacruz 8, Agovida 4, Cortes 3, Lapuz 2, Palma 0, Jalalon 0.

Quarters: 15-19; 34-36; 64-45; 80-69

Third Game

CAFÉ FRANCE 70—Poligrates 23, Knuttel 12, Eximiniano 9, Parala 9, Ebondo 7, Sedurifa 4, Nimes 2, Abundo 2, Sarangay 2, Mutombo 0, De Leon 0, Gallardo 0.

CEBUANA LHUILLIER 67—Zamar 15, Parades 10, Martinez 10, Olivares 8, Aguiular 8. Banal 6, Dizon 5, Noble 3, Leynes 2, Javier 0, Alas 0, Casajeros 0.

Quarters: 18-14; 26-25; 50-45; 70-67