D-League: Aguilar leads UP in thrilling win vs BDO-NU

Raymond Aguilar and teammates. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Raymond Aguilar provided the biggest boost for UP QRS/JAM Liner in the clutch, towing the Maroons to a pulsating 90-85 opening victory over BDO-NU in the 2016 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup on Thursday at San Juan Arena.

Aguilar drained a huge trey with 26.5 seconds left to push UP to an 89-85 lead before Kevin Ferrer drew a huge defensive stop on the other end, baiting Alfred Aroga to his sixth foul with a charge and giving his team another possession with 20.4 ticks remaining.

Aguilar then followed it up with a split on the charity stripe to make it a five-point game to ice the game.

The 30-year-old big man finished the game with a double-double of 18 points, on a perfect 3-of-3 clip from three, and 13 rebounds.

“It was a different experience because it’s hard to blend college and pro guys together,” said UP QRS/JAM Liner team consultant Joe Ward.

“It’s kind of tough, but playing the first game, blending different styles, and in the end, coming out with the win, what can you say? It’s a good thing.”

Paul Desiderio led UP in scoring with 24 points, while Juneric Baloria added 16 markers. Gelo Alolino also contributed 11 in the win.

J-Jay Alejandro led BDO-NU with 21 points, buoyed by his 11-of-14 shooting from the free throw line, while Nico Javelona chipped in 13 markers in the defeat.

The Scores:

UP QRS/JAM Liner 90 – Desiderio 24, Aguilar 18, Baloria 16, Alolino 11, Ferrer 8, Batino 6, Soyud 5, Moralde 2, Asilum 0, Dario 0, Harris 0, Neypes 0, Vito 0.
BDO-NU 85 – Alejandro 21, Javelona 13, Aroga 10, Roño 10, Tansingco 10, Salem 8, Labingisa 4, Perez 4, Salim 3, Diputado 2, Yu 0.

Quarters: 15-23, 38-43, 66-63, 90-85.