Banchero shines in Waves rout of struggling Razorbacks

Chris Banchero of Boracay (dark) vs Robin Rono and Bobby Ray Parks of NU-BDO (light). PBA D-LEAGUE IMAGE / NUKI SABIO FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Boracay Rum fanned its playoff hopes after a masterful win over skidding Hog’s Breath Café, 91-67, in the 2014 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Monday at the Arellano gym.

Fil-Italian guard Chris Banchero led the Waves’ charge with 16 points, 12 rebounds and six assists as his team won its third straight for a 4-5 record.

“We’re just trying to win as many games as we could. We’re just hoping for the best,” said Boracay coach Lawrence Chongson, whose team exploited its advantage upfront with the undersized Razorbacks reeling the injuries to their key forwards Francis Allera and Jonathan Belorio.

Hog’s Breath, which suffered its third straight loss after a 7-0 start, never recovered from a double-digit deficit early, 13-26, as Boracay Rum built momentum from there to lead by as much as 27 points.

“Everyone’s getting into our system,” added Chongson, whose team dominated the boards, 60-28.

The Razorbacks shot just 37% from the field and misfired on 17 out of their 23 attempts from their usually potent long distance shooting.

“Our shooting hasn’t been connecting the past three games,” said Hog’s Breath coach Caloy Garcia. “We must win two of our last three games.”