Bringas, Celada help Cagayan Valley hold off Blackwater

MANILA, Philippines — Cagayan Valley fended off a furious fightback by Blackwater Sports to fashion out a 75-68 win in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Monday at the Trinity University of Asia gym.

Mark Bringas notched a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Andrian Celada added 12 points, including a key triple down the stretch as the Rising Suns kept the shorthanded Elite at bay for their fifth win in seven starts.

Celada buried a triple that stretched Cagayan’s lead to five, 73-68, with 3:16 left that seemingly stopped Blackwater’s momentum.

The Elite, who missed the services of key players Kevin Ferrer and Hyram Bagatsing, clawed their way back in the second half after trailing by as much as 17, 46-29, late in the second quarter.

Bruisers Pari Llagas and Gilbert Bulawan and explosive guard Jericho Cruz anchored Blackwater’s rally.

Former Meralco Bolts guard Allan Mangahas pulled the Elite to within three, 68-71, with 2:04 left before Jason Melano answered to put the Suns back up by five, 73-68, with only 1:14 remaining.

Blackwater drew futile production from its new acquisition Ken Acibar and fell to 4-2.

Cagayan also didn’t have starting playmaker Mark Cruz. Cruz suited up for Letran, which lost in the PCCL to Ferrer’s University of Santo Tomas.