Wangs’ Louie Sangalang. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Wangs Basketball @26-Letran flashed its championship form in its 94-87 victory over Adalem Construction-St. Clare in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup opener Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Louie Sangalang fired 21 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, while Kobe Monje dropped 17 points and six boards. Three other players scored in double figures for the Knights.
The Bonnie Tan-mentored side, however, still had a bit of a scare after seeing their 23-point lead trimmed down to just three, 88-85, on a Jolo Sumagaysay three with 57.1 seconds left.
King Caralipio saved the day for Wangs-Letran with a left corner three with 47 seconds to go to cap off his stellar showing of 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
“We need to show our championship composure in these kinds of games. We just talked about he we needed to stay composed,” said Tan in Filipino.
Tommy Olivario tallied 12 points, seven assists, four boards, and two steals, and Brent Paraiso had 12 points, eight dimes, and four rebounds to make up for the absences of top guns Fran Yu and NCAA MVP Rhenz Abando.
Meanwhile, Jerome Santos erupted for 36 points to carry Centro Escolar University to a 101-82 blowout win over AMA Online in the second game.
It was an impressive return for the 23-year-old forward who drained four treys on top of his eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals that gifted coach Chico Manabat his first win in the developmental ranks.
Anjord Cabotaje provided support with 11 points. The Scorpions also drew nine points each from Franz Diaz, Dave Bernabe, and Vince Ferrer.
“We weren’t able to use some of the players because they’re still injured, but we got lucky in the end,” said Manabat, who assumed the post after Jeff Napa took the National University head coaching job.
The Scores:
First Game
Wangs-Letran 94 — Sangalang 21, Monje 17, Olivario 12, Paraiso 12, Caralipio 12, Javillonar 6, Tolentino 6, Guarino 6, Bataller 2, Lantaya 0.
Adalem-St. Clare 87 — Rojas 25, Estrada 22, Sumagaysay 19, Sablan 7, Tapenio 5, Estacio 5, Gambo 4, Lopez 0, Acosta 0.
Quarters: 29-20, 51-38, 72-65, 94-87.
Second Game:
CEU 101 — Santos 36, Cabotaje 11, Diaz 9, Bernabe 9, Ferrer 9, Tolentino 8, Ancheta 7, Santiago 6, Reyes 2, Borromeo 2, Enrile 2, Malicana 0, Atienza 0, Samaniego 0.
AMA 82 — Arpia 24, Palana 12, Alina 12, Cruz 10, Baclig 6, Villamor 6, Soriano 4, Romero 3, Pangilinan 2, Cruz 2, Ceniza 1, Fuentes 0, Temporasa 0, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 22-14, 48-41, 71-61, 101-82.