Dub five trips Freego; Big Chill derails NLEX

MANILA, Philippines—Showing total command this time, Dub Unlimited nailed its first win in grand fashion by snapping Freego Jeans’ five-game unbeaten run, 78-62, Thursday in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Trinity University of Asia gym.

Big Chill similarly pulled off a stunner by downing defending champion NLEX, 85-83, in the first game

Marlon Gomez fired 19 points for the Wheelers, who shot a notable 51 percent from the field on the way to their first win in five games.

Despite the loss, the weary Freego squad—whose core players saw action for the Philippine Collegiate Champions League just minutes before the game—still kept the solo lead at 5-1.

Charles Jensen knocked in 21 points built on an 8-of-12 shooting clip, and Raffy Reyes also stepped up in the last 76 seconds by scoring the marginal basket and the buffer free throw for the Super Chargers, who grabbed a share of second with idle Cebuana Lhuillier at 4-1.

“The players deserved this win,” said Big Chill coach Arsenio Dysangco. “They worked hard and sacrificed a lot. Today, we really worked as a team. NLEX is a tough team and beating the champions was our motivation.”

Showing the composure missing from their previous games, the Wheelers preserved the lead this time after taking the half at 30-27.

“Hopefully, this will continue,” said Wheelers coach Junel Mendiola.

The Road Warriors, who slipped to 1-1, played minus Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual, who all suited up for San Sebastian in the PCCL. San Beda star Garvo Lanete also sat out due to a shoulder injury.

The scores:
First Game
BIG CHILL 85–Jensen 21, Reyes 15, Tan 13, Custodio 11, Glorioso 8, Santos 6, Collado 5, Maconicido 4, Ponferada 2, Dizon 0, Galinato 0, Morillo 0, Mangahas 0.
NLEX 83–Garcia 18, Marcelo 14, Co 11, Sugitan 11, Monfort 9, Belencion 8, Hodge 8, Ellis 4, Dehesa 0, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 23-23, 52-50, 76-73, 85-83
Second Game
DUB UNLIMITED 78–Gomez 19, Aguilar 13, Hugnatan 11, Villahermosa 7, Bustos 6, Pascual 6, Teng 5, Melegrito 4, Zamar 3, Leynes 2, Gonzales 2, Bolos 0.
FREEGO JEANS 62–Cabrera 12, Austria 11, Sumalinog 6, Lopez 6, Lozada 5, Elinon 3, Camson 3, Rios 3, Escueta 2, Apinan 2, Brondial 2, Canada 1.
Quarters: 15-18, 30-27, 53-44, 78-62