Cagayan’s Raymond Almazan (right) challenges the defense of Marion Evan Magat of Cafe France in yesterday’s game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Cagayan Valley played spoiler this time even as Erase Xfoliant picked up a second successive triumph in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup yesterday at Arellano Gym.
The Rising Suns—booted out of the solo lead last week—foiled Café France’s crack at the top spot with an 85-70 drubbing fueled by Raymond Almazan’s huge game of 15 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks.
Earlier, the Erasers cruised to 79-68 victory over Informatics Icons behind a second-quarter breakway anchored on Jett Vidal, Macky Acosta and Nate Matute.
The Rising Suns, who improved to 3-1, pulled away for good in the third quarter with Almazan and Chris Exciminiano combining to pad a slim 44-41 edge to a 70-56 cushion.
“I’m glad we were able to bounce back,” said Cagayan coach Alvin Pua, “But I’m not pleased because every time we had a lead, the players had a tendency to relax and that’s dangerous.”
Café France fell to 1-1. The Bakers had hoped to pick up their first on-court win and join early leaders NLEX and Big Chill at 2-0 after winning by forfeiture over Fruitas last week.
Vidal shot 19 points and Acosta had 14, nine coming from three-point range, to help the Erasers rise to 2-1.
The newcomer Icons dropped their second successive game.
The scores:
First Game
ERASE XFOLIANT 79—Vidal 19, Acosta 14, Matute 13, Gomez 10, Allen 8, Thompson 5, Mendoza 4, Alano 4, Arboleda 2, Babayemi 0, Vijandre 0, Stevens 0.
INFORMATICS 68—Rogado 18, Cruz 17, Bautista 8, Hayes 8, Lituania 7, Mangahas 4, Benitez 4, Carlos 2, Sanghera 0, Maiquez 0.
Quarters: 21-22, 40-33, 64-45, 79-68
Second Game
CAGAYAN VALLEY 85—Almazan 15, Exciminiano 14, Lao 13, Melano 10, Celada 8, Poligrates 8, Cruz 7, Bringas 5, Webb 3, Bartolo 2, Gusi 0, Chiong 0, Forrester 0, Calubang 0.
CAFÉ FRANCE 70—Parala 19, Padilla 12, Mendoza 11, Knuttel 9, Pogoy 6, Jamon 3, Magat 3, Alas 2, Magbitang 2, Antipiuesto 2, Garcia 1, Belorio 0, Batino 0.
Quarters: 22-21, 44-41, 70-56, 85-70