BRADWYN Guinto of Cebuana Lhuillier intercepts a pass to Jaypee Asuncion of Racal Motors in yesterday’s game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino-American guard sparked Cafe France’s easy drubbing of newcomer MP Hotel, 86-59, while Cebuana Lhuillier had to overcome a poor start against the debuting Racal Motors before hacking out an 89-70 victory in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Monday at Ynares Sports Arena.
Maverick Ahanmisi, who saw action for NCAA Division 1 school University of Minnesota, drilled 10 of his 11 points in the first quarter to fuel a blistering start that quickly boosted the Bakers to a 22-point cushion, 31-9.
“Maverick is a very good player,” Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya said of his prized rookie. “We have seven new recruits, but the team is jelling little bit.”
Wangs Basketball also gave AMA University a rude welcome with a 96-78 rout in the last of a three-game bill on opening day.
Michael Juico dropped 18 points and Mark Acosta, who keyed Wangs’ dominant start with Michael Miranda, added 15.
Mon Abundo contributed 11 points and Rodrigue Ebondo scored 10 on top of seven rebounds and half of the team’s eight blocks to help the Bakers repulse the MP Warriors, the team owned by world boxing icon and Kia Motors coach Manny Pacquiao.
While the Bakers had a cruise, the Gems struggled against Racal in the opening minutes.
The Gems trailed by 14 points early, 2-16, before Bradwyn Guinto, Almond Vosotros, Paul Zamar and Allan Mangahas teamed up to contain Racal’s early scoring splurge.
“In any [tournament], the hardest is usually the first game,” said Gems coach Boycie Zamar. “Good thing we were able to recover.”
Guinto finished with a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Mangahas, whose basket gave the Gems their first lead at 29-28, had 13 points and five assists.
The scores:
First Game
CAFE FRANCE 86—Ahanmisi 11, Abundo 11, Cortez 10, Ebondo 10, Andrada 8, Jeruta 8, Sedurifa 7, Galanza 6, Noble 6, Batino 5, De Leon 2, Habelito 2, Huertas 0, Celso 0.
MP HOTEL 59—Bulac 9, Escosio 8, Yaya 8, Collado 7, Belorio 6, McCarthy 5, Sumido 4, Calo 4, Morillo 4, Allen 2, Hainga 2, Blanco 0, Landicho 0, Yusop 0.
Quarters: 31-9, 48-22, 69-42, 86-59
Second Game
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 89—Guinto 18, A. Mangahas 13, Zamar 13, Vosotros 11, Villahermosa 10, Sison 8, Acibar 4, Ciriacruz 4, J. Mangahas 3, Enciso 2, Arellano 2, Sarangay 1.
RACAL MOTORS 70—Gil 15, Ortuoste 12, Viernes 11, Asuncion 11, Gabawan 8, Jamito 5, Saitanan 3, Ruaya 3, Ibay 2, Ibarra 0, Publico 0. Quarters: 16-21, 44-33, 64-49, 89-70
Third Game
WANGS 96—Juico 18, Acosta 15, Acidre 12, Miranda 11, Montuano 10, Pontejos 8, Mendoza 7, Vijandre 6, Arambulo 3, Lina 3, Rosopa 2, Ferrer 1, Importante 0, Acuña 0.
AMA UNIV. 78—Sabangan 22, Balucanag 13, Purdy 12, Camasura 9, Taganas 6, Eriobu 5, Angeles 4, Malones 3, Olivares 3, Diswe 1, Santiago 0, Calma 0, Macranas 0, Jordan 0.
Quarters: 24-10, 39-26, 73-49, 96-78