TANDUAY Light’s Ronnie de Leon follows up a miss and draws a foul from Cris Tolomia of MJM M-Builders at Ynares Arena in Pasig. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Hapee didn’t play at full strength yet still held on to prevail over AMA University, 69-61, in its debut yesterday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at Ynares Sports Arena.
Meanwhile, Jumbo Plastic survived a thriller over Cebuana Lhuillier, 63-61, to grab the solo lead at 2-0 while Tanduay Light opened its bid with a narrow escape over MJM M-Builders, 78-77.
Troy Rosario buried 12 points and Ray Parks added 11 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals as Hapee Fresh Fighters overcame the Titans’ huge fightback in the second half.
“We have to work on everything—team chemistry is number one,” said Hapee coach Ronnie Magsanoc. “It was a good test for us.”
Parks, Ola Adeogun and Garvo Lanete fueled the Fresh Fighters’ strong windup after the winless Titans trimmed their 18-point advantage at 53-35 to just three points, 62-59.
Dexter Maiquez also delivered at crunchtime as he dropped half of his 14 points in the last two minutes, including a triple, to lift the Giants to back-to-back wins.
AJ Mandani nailed a game-winner with 3.4 ticks left to lead Tanduay to its first victory.
Tanduay coach Lawrence Chongson, though, may face sanctions over comments regarding Mac Belo, the subject of a tug-of-war between the Rhum Masters and the Builders.
“We’re inviting him to explain further what he meant by those critical comments that he issued,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud, who summoned Chongson to his office today.
The scores:
First Game
HAPEE 69—Rosario 12, Parks 11, Lanete 10, Adeogun 7, Dela Cruz 6, Amer 5, Thompson 5, Van Opstal 4, Newsome 4, Hayes 3, Long 2, Koga 0.
AMA UNIV. 61—Paniamogan 14, Eriobu 12, Camasura 8, Taganas 7, Olivares 7, Purdy 4, Sabangan 4, Balucanag 2, Angeles 2, Macaranas 1, Calma 0, Jordan 0, Diswe 0.
Quarters: 15-13, 41-28, 59-48, 69-61
Second Game
JUMBO PLASTIC 63—Maiquez 14, Cruz 10, Heruela 9, Lozada 9, Sabelina 7, Terso 5, Rosales 4, Magat 3, Javier 2, Eguilos 0, Rios 0, Villamor 0, Petilos 0.
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 61—Ferrer 14, Enciso 10, Sison 8, A. Mangahas 6, Zamar 6, Guinto 6, Ciriacruz 4, Acibar 2, Torres 2, Sarangay 2, J. Mangahas 1, Villahermosa 0, Arellano 0.
Quarters: 7-17, 26-28, 48-41, 63-61
Third Game
TANDUAY LIGHT 78—Sumang 16, De Vera 15, Belencion 10, Banal 7, Mandani 6, Roño 6, Tagarda 5, Ignacio 4, Jumao-as 3, Santos 2, Ilagan 2, Foronda 2, Abrigo 0, De Leon 0.
MJM M-BUILDERS 77—Khobuntin 8, Alolino 16, Belo 13, Tolomia 8, Pogoy 7 Javelona 5, Perez 4, Cruz 4, Jose 2, Alberto 0, Mendoza 0, Iñigo 0, Neypes 0.
Quarters: 16-17, 39-37, 65-56, 78-77