Unbeaten Hapee, Cagayan keep top two spots

Hapee weathered several attacks by newcomer MP Hotel to prevail, 84-63, yesterday and keep its unbeaten streak going in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at Marikina Sports Complex.

Chris Newsome got into the groove in the final period, joining hands with Ray Parks on both ends to break the momentum of the hard-charging Warriors and power the Fresh Fighters to their eighth consecutive victory.

Cagayan Valley also maintained its unblemished record in seven games after downing Racal Motors, 95-89, in overtime while MJM Builders leaned on its deeper bench to topple Wangs Basketball, 79-64, in the first game.

Coming off the bench, Chris Tolomia scored 15 points and Bryan Cruz had 10 as the Builders snapped a three-game slide for a 2-6 record.

Parks tallied 18 points while Newsome had nine of his 10 points in the pivotal quarter that finally tore the Warriors (1-7) apart. Reden Celda scored 14 points while Jessie Collado and John Jamon added 13 and 11, respectively, for the Warriors.

“We didn’t defend the way we’re supposed to. I thought Ray Parks did another good job,” said Hapee coach Ronnie Magsanoc after the Fresh Fighters moved closer to an outright semifinal spot.

Art dela Cruz, Troy Rosario and Ola Adeogun came off the bench and combined for 33 points as Hapee’s second unit outscored the MP Hotel’s bench, 47-16, and practically eliminated the Warriors from the playoff contention.

The Builders, shooting 59 percent from the field, opened the game with a 17-3 run and were hardly threatened the rest of the way.

Coach Nash Racela missed the game but assistant coach Eric Gonzalez proved an able replacement for the Builders.

The scores:

First Game

MJM BUILDERS 79—Tolomia 15, Cruz 10, Jose 9, Perez 8, Khobuntin 8, Pogoy 6, Neypes 6, Belo 5, Matias 4, Mendoza 3, Inigo 3, Javelona 1, Alolino 1, Albertp 0.

WANGS 64—Purdy 12, Morillo 11, Acosta 10, Rosopa 10, Ferrer 6, Montemayor 6, Montuano 4, Pontejos 2, Acidre 2, Marquez 1, Acuna 0, Lina 0.

Quarters: 28-16, 49-41, 63-54, 79-64.

Second Game

HAPEE 84—Parks 18, Adeogun 12, Dela Cruz 12, Newsome 10, Rosario 9, Opstal 7, Lanete 7, Long 5, Sorela 4, Amer 0, Koga 0, Thompson 0, Mendoza 0, Hayes 0.

MP HOTEL 63—Celda 14, Collado 13, Jamon 11, Escosio 10, Pacquiao 7, Yaya 6, Calo 2, Allen 0, Bulac 0, Blanco 0, Quiro 0, Rogado 0, Landicho 0, Palma 0.

Quarters: 23-16, 38-28, 59-49, 84-63