Big men power EA Regen quintet past Fruitas

Just as Fruitas had feared, EA Regen’s big men threw their weight around and powered Team Delta to a third straight win.

Raymund Almazan notched 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Ian Sanggalang grabbed 13 boards to lead Team Delta past the Shakers, 74-63, yesterday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Arena in Pasig.

Jonathan Semira also provided the scoring punch in the second half with 15 points for Team Delta, which pulled into a tie for third place with idle defending champion NLEX and Fruitas at 4-2.

It was Almazan’s third straight double-double, even as Jimbo Aquino also finished with 13 points and 11 boards. Sanggalang managed just five points, but his presence inside the paint made life difficult for the Shakers.

“We rebounded well, that’s why we dominated the game,” said EA Regen coach Allan Trinidad, whose team had a 58-49 rebounding edge. “Plus, Jonathan shot the ball well.”

Semira, the former San Sebastian standout, shot 3 of 5 from the field and made 7 of 8 free throws in the third period as EA Regen outscored Fruitas, 25-14, in the quarter.

In the second game, Jett Vidal tallied 12 of his game-high 18 points in the third quarter as Jumbo Plastic plastered Cebuana Lhuillier, 90-71, for its second straight win.

The scores:

First Game

EA REGEN 74—Almazan 20, Semira 15, Aquino 13, Maiquez 7, Sanggalang 5, Ko 4, Terso 4, Sanga 2, Allen 2, Bautista 2, Juico 0, Tolentino 0, Miranda 0.

FRUITAS 63—Lastimosa 25, Escobal 9, Caram 6, Escoto 6, Antonio 6, Cruz 5, Tolomia 2, Mendoza 2, Colina 2, Pogoy 0.

Quarters: 21-12, 33-32, 58-46, 74-63.

Second Game

JUMBO PLASTIC 90—Vidal 18, Acosta 15, Mariano 14, Del Rosario 12, Hayes 12, Najorda 7, Tan 6, Ignacio 4, Escueta 2, DAquioag 0.

CEBUANA LHUILLIER 71—Aguilar 15, Martinez 8, Banal 8, Bautista 8, Montecastro 7, Bustios 7, Zamar 6, Dizon 4, Padilla 2, Custodio 2, Buensuceso 2, Lopez 2, Chiu 0, Sarangay 0.

Quarters: 25-12, 40-32, 72-52, 90-71