Unscathed NLEX keeps Boracay Rum winless in PBA D-League

Ronald Pascual vs Toto MAndaying. PBA D-LEAGUE IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion NLEX did not have a hard time putting away Boracay Rum 88-73 Thursday in the 2012 PBA Aspirants Cup at the Trinity University of Asia Gym.

NCAA MVP Ian Sangalang, just one of the many players who has a sterling college career in the Road Warriors line up, topscored with 21 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.

NLEX, the only champion the league has had since its foundation, wasted no time entering the fourth quarter and padded on to the lead immediately.

From just a 13-point lead after three quarters, the Road Warriors found themselves leading by as big as 22 points on a basket by RR Garcia with 3:21 to play.

But as overwhelming as they are on the offense, head coach Boyet Fernandez wasn’t at all satisfied with the way NLEX played in the other end of the court.

“A win a win, but our defense was bad,” Fernandez told the reporters. “We gave up 73 points in one game.”

The Road Warriors cruised to their second overwhelming victory in the conference, and they are still awaiting activation of seven-foot center Greg Slaughter.

According to Fernandez, Bureau of Immigration already gave the certification that Slaughter is a Filipino — but the PBA is asking for additional papers.

The Waves, meanwhile, continued their struggles as they absorbed their third loss in as many games.

Former UAAP standouts Glenn Khobuntin and Ken Acibar led Boracay Rum, which was doomed by its slow start, with 17 and 13 markers, respectively.

The Waves came alive in the third quarter offensively by scoring 22 points — mostly on Khobuntin’s efforts — but also gave up as many points to NLEX.