Troy Rosario. PBA Images/Nuki Sabio
Hapee overcame the absence of its two stars to blow out newcomer LiverMarin, 74-50, in the 2015 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Monday at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
Minus Ray Parks and Garvo Lanete, the Fresh Fighters made do with what they have but were still too much for the Guardians.
Troy Rosario flirted with a double-double with 20 points and nine rebounds while Earl Thompson showcased his all around game with 11 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, one steal and a block for Hapee, which bounced back from a loss to Jumbo Plastic last week.
“We needed a confidence-boosting win and we also need them to play together,” Hapee head coach Ronnie Magsanoc said.
The Fresh Fighters are not the same team from last conference where they only lost once during their championship run having lost the San Beda core led by Nigerian center Ola Adeogun and Baser Amer.
“It’s a different team. We lost some key players but life goes on. We just have to rebuild and get better,” added Magsanoc, whose team led by as much as 26.
Jovit dela Cruz’s measly eight points led LiverMarin, which didn’t have any player scoring in double-digits.
Parks missed the game due to a shoulder injury while Lanete is still recovering from an MCL tear.
Lanete, the one-time D-League MVP, could miss the elimination round but is hopeful he would be able to suit up if Hapee makes the playoffs.
Hapee won despite getting to the line just four times while LiverMarin shot 14-of-25 from the free throw line. CC