Hapee still came out strong with a nine-man crew and Cagayan Valley managed without a coach for the second straight game as the two leaders stayed unbeaten in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup yesterday at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
Even minus two key big men, Hapee rolled past Racal Motors, 70-60, to stretch its perfect run to nine games.
Troy Rosario ably took over to finish with 20 points and eight rebounds as the Fresh Fighters easily controlled the game sans Ola Adeogun and Arnold Van Opstal, who are both vacationing abroad.
Earlier, Cagayan Valley turned to Abel Galliguez anew at crunchtime in carving out an 89-78 win over AMA University for a perfect 8-0 card.
Galliguez fired 11 of his game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter to lift the Rising Suns, who played minus suspended coach Alvin Pua.
“I felt I had my rhythm, so I took more shots when I got the ball,” said Galliguez, the Filipino-American guard.
Jumbo Plastic stayed fourth at 6-3 after turning back Tanduay Lights’ repeated rallies for a 68-59 victory. Philip Paniamogan paced the Giants with 14 points.
The scores:
First Game
CAGAYAN VALLEY 89—Galliguez 20, Trollano 15, Melano 10, Tautuaa 10, Salamat 8, Flores 7, Tayongtong 7, Mabulac 4, Mag-isa 2, Austria 2, Celada 2, Capacio 0.
AMA UNIV. 78—Martinez 18, Arellano 18, Eriobu 11, Cubillo 11, Taganas 10, Balucanag 8, Dizon 2, Santiago 0, Magpantay 0, Diswe 0, Olivares 0, Rosales 0.
Quarters: 23-10, 47-38, 66-59, 89-78
Second Game
HAPEE 70—Rosario 20, Lanete 9, Amer 8, Thompson 7, Parks 6, Dela Cruz 6, Newsome 6, Long 5, Hayes 3.
RACAL MOTORS 60—Ortuoste 22, Ruaya 10, Jamito 8, Gil 7, Viernes 4, Canta 4, Ibay 3, Gabawan 2, Mercader 0, Di Gregorio 0, Ambulado 0, Publico 0.
Quarters: 21-21, 44-33, 60-48, 70-60
Third Game
JUMBO PLASTIC 68—Paniamogan 14, Eguilos 13, Cruz 11, Villamor 7, Terso 6, Maiquez 5, Javier 4, Rosales 2, Magat 2, Tiongson 2, Petilos 2.
TANDUAY LIGHT 59—Mariano 19, Belencion 8, Sumang 7, Mandani 6, Santos 6, Ilagan 4, Roño 4, Tagarda 3, Foronda 2, Ignacio 0, Cenal 0.
Quarters: 23-14, 37-27, 49-45, 68-59