PBA D-League: KeraMix fends off Hapee in testy outing

KeraMix found the right blend of offense and grit as it put down Hapee, 77-73, in a physical matchup in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup Thursday afternoon at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

A game so dramatic that even non-players received technicals.

Mixers head coach Caloy Garcia, team doctor IB Mendoza, and Hapee team manager Bernard Yang were all given technicals at the 6:06 mark of the third quarter.

Garcia said he understands the physicality of the game but he can’t wrap his mind around the notion of allowing too much bruising.

“I understand the physicality, what I don’t understand is they allow it too much,” Garcia said whose team notched a 3-2 record which brought them to third seed. “They are going to wait for something to go off before they [the officials] react.”

KeraMix had an 11-point lead at the end of the third with Michael Digregorio contorting his body to score on a difficult layup to put the Mixers up 53-42.

Troy Rosario started to catch fire for the Fresh Fighters at the start of the fourth scoring after two consecutive flushes, sparking an 8-0 Hapee run that pulled them 53-50.

Jiovani Jalalon responded for KeraMix with a drive with 4:55  left to give the Warriors a 63-56 edge.

Jeff Viernes hit both free-throws with 15.3 remaining to give the Mixers a 77-70 lead but Nico Elorde drained a three-pointer with eight seconds remaining to bring Hapee closer 77-73.

An ensuing out of bounds play gave Hapee an extra possession but Mark Romero air balled his three-pointer sealing their 2-2 record.

Jalalon led the balanced attack of KeraMix with 12 points with Digregorio, Viernes, and Billy Robles adding 11 points apiece.

Rosario and Chris Newsome managed to combine for 30 points before getting fouled out to lead the Fresh Fighters.