SERAJ Elmejrab draws a fould from Bryan Ilad of Wangs. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
TWO teams coming off separate title runs rolled past their opponents at the start of their campaign in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup yesterday at Ynares Sports Arena.
Last conference’s champion Cafe France spoiled Mindanao Aguilas’ league debut, 89-65, while Phoenix Petroleum—built around the core of UAAP champion Far Eastern University—ripped Wangs Basketball by 37 points, 107-70.
“We said even if we have chemistry, there are [other players] who need to be involved because they’ll be a big factor in our campaign,” Phoenix coach Eric Gonzales said of the Accelerators, who also tapped University of Santo Tomas standout Ed Daquioag.
Mac Belo, the UAAP Finals MVP, erupted for 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists as the Accelerators zoomed to an early double-digit lead, 18-4, that ballooned to as many as 48 points, 98-50.
Daquioag—who, just last month, played against Belo and the FEU players in the UAAP Finals—quickly blended well with the Accelerators to finish with 20 points.
The Bakers, meanwhile, banked on the core of their Foundation Cup champion team as they pulled away from the Aguilas in the opening minutes, 19-8.
The Bakers outscored the Aguilas at the paint, 46-24.
The scores:
First Game
CAFE FRANCE 89—Ebondo 16, Manlangit 13, Villahermosa 11, Zamar 10, Jeruta 9, Celso 7, Arim 5, Casino 5, Cruz 5, De Leon 4, Abundo 2, Opiso 2, Guinitaran 0.
MINDANAO 65—Garcia 21, Sarangay 11, Jumao-as 9, Ignacio 6, Acibar 4, De Guzman 3, Rivera 3, Rublico 3, Nalos 2, Villanueva 2, Navarro 1, Julkipli 0, Ongteco 0, Wetherell 0.
Quarters: 19-8, 43-31, 57-45, 89-65
Second Game
PHOENIX-FEU 107—Belo 22, Daquioag 20, Jose 11, Ru. Escoto 10, Iñigo 10, Tamsi 10, Pogoy 8, Mendoza 5, Tolomia 5, Elmejrab 2, Ri. Escoto 2, Lee Yu 2.
WANGS 70—Banal 17, Capacio 12, Ilad 11, Munsayac 10, Publico 10, Bautista 4, Vijandre 4, Acosta 2, Asuncion 0, Je. Montemayor 0, Jo. Montemayor 0, Namocatcat 0, Pascual 0, Tumalip 0.
Quarters: 27-14, 55-30, 79-44, 107-70