Rising Suns beat Razorbacks to end 3-game skid

Chris Exciminiano (light/cagayan) vs Michael Lima and Reggie Malinao PBA D-LEAGUE IMAGE / Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Cagayan Valley needed to stave off a late push by Hog’s Breath before hacking out a 79-68 win Monday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

Ping Exciminiano scored 22 points to help the Rising Suns snap a three-game slide and improve to 4-4.

“Our next three games will be crucial but we are confident that we can still make [the playoffs],” said Cagayan coach Turo Valenzona, who took over the coaching reins from head coach Alvin Pua as Pua had to take a leave of absence to help his father-in-law incumbent Governor Alvaro Antonio in his campaign.

“Kailangan lang mag-focus kami and take it one game at a time,” added Valenzona.

The Suns though, seemed to have lost their focus after their 20-point lead was cut down to just four, 68-64, at one point in the final quarter thanks to a 7-0 run by the Razorbacks.

Andrian Celada added 15 points while Jammer Jamito had 10 points for the Suns, who won despite getting out-rebounded, 43-55.

Both teams shot below 40 percent from the field. Cagayan, which lost, 79-85, to defending champion NLEX, last Tuesday, built a commanding 38-18 lead on a basket by John Montemayor near the midway mark of the second period.

Michael Lima and Jonathan Belorio scored 15 and 12 points, respectively, for Hog’s Breath, which dropped to 1-7.

The scores:

Cagayan Valley 79 – Eximiniano 22, Celada 15, Jamito 10, Bringas 9, Lao 7, Canta 4, Melano 4, Matute 3, Montemayoir 2, Webb 0, Poligrates 0.

Hog’s Breath 68 – Lima 15, Belorio 12, Morillo 8, Robles 6, Malinao 6, Macasaet 6, Alguno 5, Roy 5, Cayabyab 4, Eman 1, Armecin 0, Rabalo 0, Pacquiao 0.

Quarters: 25-13; 44-35; 63-47; 79-68.