JOHN Pinto caught fire in the second half and powered Cagayan Valley past Jumbo Plastics, 82-78, in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup yesterday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Rising Suns came back from double-digit deficits as Pinto dropped 15 of his 22 points in the final two quarters to nail their seventh victory in nine games.
Adrian Celeda also came out big for the Rising Suns with 17 points, including 15 from beyond the arc, and Michael Mabulac added a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds.
“We played bad in the first half because the guys tend to lose their composure every time Jumbo plays physical,” said Cagayan coach Alvin Pua. “So at halftime, I told them to just keep their composure and stick to our game plan.”
In the other game, Cafe France cruised to a 98-64 win over the depleted Zambales M-Builders and rose to 5-3.
Rod Ebondo buried 18 points as the Bakers pulled away early from the Builders, who struggled minus the Far Eastern University standouts who suited for their school in another varsity tournament yesterday (See story above).
Pinto shot a perfect 4-of-4 from the field in the fourth quarter to help the Rising Suns surge ahead with a 17-9 run for a 73-70 lead.
The Giants, who fell to 5-2, turned sloppy after a strong first half, committing a total of 25 turnovers.
An Elliot Tan triple tied the game for the last time at 66 before Pinto drilled the Rising Sun’s next five points to spark Cagayan’s breakaway.
The scores:
First Game
CAGAYAN VALLEY 82—Pinto 22, Celeda 17, Mabulac 14, Trollano 8, Cruz 6, Melano 5, Ighalo 5, Bringas 5, Mercader 0, Collado 0, Foronda 0.
JUMBO PLASTIC 78—Romero 22, Colina 16, Tan 10, Petilos 7, Dehesa 7, Ballesteros 5, Lopez 5, Alano 2, Arboleda 2, Magat 2, Melegrito 0.
Quarters: 16-26, 34-43, 56-61, 82-78
Second Game
CAFE FRANCE 98—Ebondo 18, Opiso 13, Nimes 12, Mutombo 10, Sarangay 10, Montilla 8, Sedurifa 7, De Leon 7, Jamon 7, Banua 3, Gallardo 2, Batino 1.
ZAMBALES M-BUILDERS 64—Ignacio 13, Pinas 11, Vidal 11, Doligon 8, Alcober 7, Maniago 6, Gomez 6, Wong 2.
Quarters: 27-20, 57-38, 69-46, 98-64