PBA D-League: Mindanao holds off BDO-NU for elusive first win

Mindanao Aguilas. PBA IMAGES

Mindanao finally caught the elusive first win, shaking off BDO-NU, 73-67, Thursday in the 2016 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at Ynares Sports Arena.

Dexter Garcia bannered the all-around performance for the Aguilas as he scattered 13 points and five rebounds in the win.

Ex-pro Robby Celiz also came up big in the clutch, dropping five of his nine markers in the fourth, including the game-sealing fadeaway with 23.6 seconds left.

“Napakahirap manalo sa level ng laro dito. Magagaling talaga ang kalaban. Basta’t sabi ko lang sa kanila, tiwala at loyalty sa akin,” said coach Nino Rejhi Natividad. “They’re willing to die for the team.”

It was also an emotional conquest for the Zamboanga City-backed dribblers as they barged into the win column for a 1-4 record.

“Gusto ko lang maging better every day,” Natividad said. “Sa basketball naman, laging may pressure, pero it’s a challenge for us. Everyday, we must learn. Gagaling at gagaling tayo at mabibigyan din tayo ng chance manalo.”

BDO-NU could not take advantage of its morale-boosting victory against AMA last week and fell to 1-3.

Also compounding the Bulldogs’ woes were the ousters of Alfred Aroga and Matt Salem. Aroga was saddled in foul trouble and ultimately fouled out with less than four minutes left while Matt Salem incurred two technical fouls and was ejected at the 5:49 mark of the third.

J-Jay Alejandro paced BDO-NU with 12 points, while Mohammad Salim got 11 in the defeat.

The Scores:

MINDANAO 73 – Garcia 13, Celiz 9, Ignacio 8, Nalos 7, Ongteco 7, Acibar 6, Jumao-as 5, Sarangay 5, Argamino 4, Julkipli 4, Villanueva 4, De Guzman 1, Ferrer 0, Rivera 0.
BDO-NU 67 – Alejandro 12, Salim 11, Javelona 9, Rono 8, Salem 7, Perez 5, Diputado 4, Tansingco 4, Yu 4, Labing-isa 3, Aroga 0.

Quarters: 13-22, 34-33, 59-48, 73-67.