Ola Adeugon of Hapee (dark) vs Roger Pogoy of MJM (light). PBA D-LEAGUE IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Hapee leaned on a strong start before holding off MJM, 79-66, in the 2015 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Monday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Nigerian center Ola Adeogun powered the Fresh Fighters with 18 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
“It was a good test of character for the boys,” said Hapee head coach Ronnie Magsanoc. “When the game gets tough they come to play together.”
The Fresh Fighters built a 20-point lead, 50-30, in the third quarter and still up by 17, 67-50, early in the fourth period but the M-Builders found themselves back in the thick of things midway through the final frame.
A layup by Glenn Khobuntin cut Hapee’s lead down to just six, 67-61, with still 5:45 remaining.
But the Fresh Fighters responded with a 9-0 run capped by a two-handed dunk by Troy Rosario to clinch the game.
“We had a good start and we were able to get enough cushion from it,” said Magsanoc after the Fresh Fighters chalked up their third win in as many games.
Rosario finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Mac Belo had 16 points for the M-Builders, whose head coach Nash Racela got ejected with 52 seconds left in the second quarter.
Racela picked up two technical fouls in a row — the first for entering the court and the other for making contact with the referee.
The M-Builders, who were dominated in the rebounding department, 25-50, slipped to 0-3.
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