Cignal coasts to No. 6

Jason Perkins. PBA IMAGES

Jason Perkins and Chris Sumalinog joined forces in a blistering start that helped Cignal coast to a 94-69 victory over Wangs Basketball, 94-69, Thursday in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The duo buckled down to work on both ends as the Hawkeyes opened the game with a 26-5 run on their way to a fifth straight win that also improved their record to 6-2, good for fourth spot.

Perkins and Sumalinog, who ended up with 24 and 19 points, respectively, combined for 20 of Cignal’s first-quarter output.
The Hawkeyes were hardly troubled from there as Pamboy Raymundo, Raymar Jose and Byron Villarias sustained the charge.

“Credit to my starters, they stepped up defensively to give us that big lead early on,” said coach Boyet Fernandez.

Raymundo also finished with 18 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals, while Jose added eight points, 12 boards, three assists and three steals.

Fernandez said the Hawkeyes remain a work in progress even with five straight wins.

“I want to see that our system is always executed,” he said.

The loss snapped Wangs’ two-game winning run, dropping the Couriers to 3-3.

Later, Centro Escolar University drew another big game from Rod Ebondo to repulse AMA Online Education, 100-85, for its third straight victory.

The Congolese center poured 27 points, including a dagger of a triple with a minute to play. He also grabbed 22 rebounds on top of three blocks and two steals.

JK Casiño contributed 22 points, while Christian Uri and Mark Cruz both tallied 14 points for the Scorpions who are now back in the playoff mix after opening the tournament with back-to-back losses.

The Titans came within 83-95 only for Aaron Jeruta, Ebondo and Cruz to snuff out the uprising with consecutive baskets.

“We committed so many lapses and it’s really important for us to improve our decision making,” said CEU coach Yong Garcia. —WITH CARLO ANOLIN AND KRISTOFER PURNELL

CIGNAL 94 – WANGS 69
CIGNAL HD 94—Perkins 24, Raymundo 18, Sumalinog 15, Villarias 10, Jose 8, Bringas 6, Arong 4, Belencion 3, Atkins 2, Sara 2, Cahilig 2, Batino 0, Arboleda 0.
WANGS BASKETBALL 69—Ambulodto 19, Arambulo 14, De Chavez 12, Habelito 7, Herndon 7, Bitoon 6, Juico 2, Sorela 2, Montemayor 0, Asuncion 0, King 0, Tayongtong 0, Pontejos 0, Riley 0.
Quarters: 32-11, 52-27, 74-42, 94-69