PBA D-League: Cagayan rips Liver Marin after coach assaults ref

CRIS Newsome of Hapee gets away from two Tanduay Light defenders for a layup in yesterday’s game at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Cagayan Valley whipped Liver Marin, 106-94, in a PBA D-League Foundation Cup victory marred by an incident that saw Rising Suns coach Alvin Pua attack a referee at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Rising Suns assured themselves of a quarterfinal berth with their fifth win in eight games, but they are expected to make do in their succeeding games without Pua, who faces a ban and a hefty fine from the PBA Commissioner’s Office.

The incident happened with 1:39 left in the second quarter and the Rising Suns ahead, 47-41. Reacting to a call that went against his team, Pua walked toward the game officials— who at the time were in a huddle at the sideline near the timer’s table—and punched referee Benjie Montero in the face and body.

Montero did not retaliate.

“Coach (Pua) didn’t like the way the referee answered back to him,” explained Cagayan consultant Francis Rodriguez, who later downplayed the incident by calling it as “just a misunderstanding.”

With Don Trollano leading the way with 17 points, the Rising Suns broke the game apart in the third quarter, then held off a late charge by the Guardians.

Later, Hapee took Tanduay out of its comfort zone early and roared to a lopsided 88-75 victory and climbed to fourth spot.

Baser Amer sizzled for 24 points off the bench while Chris Newsome and Ola Adeogun added 10 each for the Fresh Fighters, who improved to 5-3. The Rhum Masters fell to 3-5.

Jovit De la Cruz scored 19 points, Bradwyn Guinto had 16 and Nicole Bangga added 13 for the last-placed Guardians, who lost their fourth straight and seventh overall in eight games.

The scores:

First Game

CAGAYAN VOLLEY 106—Trollano 17, Mabulac 16, Galliguez 15, Dilay 13, Melano 13, Celada 12, Magat 6, Rogado 5, Austria 4, Flores 4, Tayongtong 1, Salamat 0, Santos 0.

LIVER MARIN 94—Dela Cruz 19, Guinto 16, Bangga 13, Ignacio 12, Balucanag 9, Ortuoste 8, Fabian 7, Santos 5, Costelo 3, De Vera 2, Calisaan 0, Laude 0, Marcus 0.

Quarters: 30-20, 47-44, 79-65, 106-94

Second Game

HAPEE 88—Amer 24, Newsome 10, Adeogun 10, Parks 9, Long 8, Koga 8, Dela Cruz 6, Thompson 5, Rosario 4, Elorde 2, Romero 2.

TANDUAY LIGHT 75—Belencion 21, Mariano 11, Rosales 11, Escueta 7, Santos 6, Sumang 5, Eriobu 5, Rono 3, Tagarda 2, Ilagan 2, Dela Paz 2, Jamao-As 0, Cenal 0.

Quarters: 16-11, 49-25, 65-51, 88-75