Juneric Baloria of Big Chill (light) vs Robby Wierzba of Derulo Accelero (dark). PBA D-LEAGUE IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Big Chill found its mark early and capitalized on that lead to defeat Derulo Accelero, 75-56, Thursday to remain unscathed in the 2013 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
The Superchargers have now won five straight to stretch their season-best start, and they are not showing any signs of slowing down or taking any team for granted.
“We have learned our lessons over the past two conferences where the new teams have spoiled our playoff aspirations. So there’s no let up in our effort every game. So I like their attitude,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison.
Big Chill was in the lead all game, and held on to double-digit margin after a pivotal 9-0 run that stretched the lead from 34-28 to 17 points.
Janus Lozada and Jeckster Apinan led with 14 points each, Reil Cervantes had 12 while Rodney Brondial added 10 for the Superchargers, who went 9-for-18 in the first quarter for a 23-10 lead.
The Oilers kept the game close in the second quarter, pulling within 26-34 on two freebies by Raul Soyud. But they couldn’t inch closer due to surplus of turnovers.
“I don’t want to take anything from Derulo. I think they’re a good team. Right now I think they’re still feeling their way in the league,” Sison said.
Derulo’s Mark Jeffries led all scorers with 19 points and had 11 rebounds. Soyud also had double-double effort with 16 points and 19 boards for the Oilers.
But the Oilers — whose core consist of players from University of the Philippines — remained winless in five games of their debut season.