Chris Banchero of Boracay Rum vs Joshua Webb of Arellano-Air21. PBA D-LEAGUE IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Boracay Rum couldn’t break loose but still came home with a 71-63 victory over Arellano-Air21, Thursday, in the 2013 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig.
The Waves couldn’t get the opening to break away from the lowly Express, who only has a victory to show so far, but at least kept distance from all game as led by Chris Banchero’s 20 points.
But even in the star guard’s presence, Boracay Rum still looked far from that dominant squad which reached the semifinals last conference as it sits in the middle of the pack with a 4-3 card.
“I’m not making excuses, but I think our problem is chemisty. I think Banchero’s arrival was too big of a shadow for my team, other players don’t know what they should do,” said head coach Lawrence Chongson in Filipino.
Apart from Banchero, Stephen Siruma and Roider Cabera both provided the solid contributions for the Waves as they chipped in 11 apiece.
Siruma was 2-of-2 from the three-point line, while Cabrera poured eight of his points in the payoff period where Boracay Rum held a steady single-digit lead.
With only six teams advancing to the next round, Chongson remained hopeful as their schedule gets relatively easier.
“We have no other choice but to fight through adversaries. Who knows what could happen as the new year comes,” the long-haired mentor said.
Hopes for Arellano-Air 21 to make it to the quarterfinals, though, are dimming even more as it reels to a sixth defeat and third to the last in the standings.
Jack Arquero and Moncreif Rogado had 14 and 10 points, respectively, for Arellano which lost bigman Jovet Mendoza to injury early in the game.