Rising Suns back on track

COACH Alvin Pua got the “wake-up call” he wanted as his Cagayan Valley rebounded from a shock loss with a 30-point blasting of Boracay Rum, 84-54, in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup yesterday at Ynares Sports Arena.

Kenneth Ighalo (22 points) and Don Trollano (16 points and 10 rebounds) led the dominant outing of the Rising Suns, who picked up a fifth win after absorbing their first loss last week, where they blew a 13-point lead in the last five minutes against Hog’s Breath Cafe.

“The loss turned out for the better,” Pua said in Filipino. “We got our wake-up call. And it’s good that our outside shots went in.”

Hog’s Breath followed up its huge conquest with a 109-93 drubbing of Wangs Basketball to streak to its third straight triumph, while Blackwater Sports battled back from double-digit deficits to clip National University-Banco de Oro, 71-69.

The Razorbacks stayed unbeaten as Jansen Rios drilled 11 of his 17 points in the final quarter where they arrested the Couriers’ repeated rallies.

“We shot well from the perimeter and that was the key,” said Hog’s Breath coach Caloy Garcia. “I thought the guys also took care of the basketball well.”

The scores:

First Game

HOG’S BREATH CAFE 109—Rios 17, Sanga 17, Racal 15, Paniamogan 14, Austria 12, Belorio 10, Allera 9, Ruaya 8, Gabawan 4, Terso 3, Robles 0.

WANGS 93—Juico 20, Galliguez 15, Vijandre 14, Acosta 10, Ilad 6, Banal 5, Macuha 5, Castro 4, Saitanan 2, Sanchez 0.

Quarters: 26-22, 56-44, 75-68, 109-93

Second Game

CAGAYAN VALLEY 84—Ighalo 22, Trollano 16, Caperal 14, Melano 9, Bringas 8, Cruz 5, Pinto 4, Jamito 2, Celeda 2, Collado 2, Mabulac 0, Gonzales 0, Foronda 0.

BORACAY RUM 54—Banchero 12, Belo 9, Bautista 7, Tagarda 7, Taha 7, Siruma 5, Arellano 2, Eguillos 2, Sabellina 2, Rosopa 1, Acibar 0, Ilagan 0, Cabrera 0.

Quarters: 20-7, 49-21, 69-35, 84-54

Third Game

BLACKWATER SPORTS 71—Bagatsing 15, Mangahas 14, Manguera 10, Ciriacruz 9, Llagas 7, Ferrer 6, Vigil 4, Austria 3, Cruz 2, Suguitan 1, Avillanoza 0, Reyes 0, Pe 0.

NU-BDO 69—Parks 18, Alolino 15, Perez 12, Khobuntin 11, Neypes 5, Roño 4, Villamor 2, Rosario 2, Labing-isa 0, Javelona 0, De Guzman 0.

Quarters: 20-20, 32-36, 50-57, 71-69