PBA D-League: Fruitas bounces back; drubs Teng, Informatics

Carlo Lastimosa drives past Jeric Teng and Mon Mabayo. Photo by Nuki Sabio, PBA

MANILA, Philippines — After two straight setbacks, Fruitas vented its ire on Informatics with a 106-75 drubbing on Thursday in the 2013 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

From the get-go the Shakers meant business as they chased a better seeding, building a 21-point lead at the end of first quarter and never relenting from there.

All players from the Fruitas chipped in at least five points with prolific scorer Carlo Lastimosa sizzling anew with 23 points, one rebound, four assists and a steal.

Far Eastern University guard Mike Tolomai added 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting while four more others had double digit outputs.

“Sabi namin sa mga players, hindi naman porke’t natalo tayo bababa kumpyansa natin. Kailangan lang natin masusutain and mag-execute,” said assistant coach Eric Gonzales, who took charge in lieu of head coach Nash Racela.

The Shakers never pulled their punches — even providing a highlight reel with Lastimosa lobbing it to Russel Escoto, who then finished with a one-hand stuff midway the fourth.

Fruitas, which improved to 5-3, scored no less than 22 points per quarter, and were up by as much as 37 points in the payoff period.

Jeric Teng finished with 25 points, 11 coming in the third quarter — the only time the Informatics managed to outscore Fruitas, 26-23.

Raymond Mabayo added 22 points along with 10 rebounds for the Icons, who were sorely outrebounded by the Shakers, 56-35.