Hog’s Breath downs NLEX

By CHRISTIAN JACINTO

Hog’s Breath Café produced the biggest win of its young existence after hacking out a stunning 83-78 victory over defending champion NLEX to remain unscathed in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup yesterday at the Blue Eagle gym.

The Razorbacks once again banked on their torrid outside shooting, with Paul Sanga hitting three of the team’s five triples in the payoff period to go 5-0 in the conference.

Philip Paniamogan hit the biggest three of the afternoon, a step back shot in front of Rome dela Rosa with 1:41 remaining that gave Hog’s Breath an 81-72 lead.
Sanga finished the game with a game high 21 points, spiked by five triples and added seven boards while Paniamogan finished with 16 points.

Kevin Racal chipped in 11 markers for a Hog’s Breath team that has made leaps and bounds after a forgetful performance during its maiden stint in last season’s Foundation Cup.

“Malayo pa ito, we still have eight games to go, swerte lang kami dahil nagaadjust pa ang NLEX,” said winning coach Caloy Garcia.

Garvo Lanete topscored for the Road Warriors with 19 points while Ola Adeogun added 11 points and seven rebounds but NLEX fell to 3-1.

“We hit big shots in the fourth quarter and we were able to contain Ola (Adeogun). I think we won the game because we played good defense. Mga players namin, they want to prove something and ayun may naprove naman sila,” said Garcia.

The Road Warriors went on a late counterattack behind Lanete’s five straight points and a split from dela Rosa to cut Hog’s Breath lead to just three, 81-78.

Scores:
First Game
JUMBO PLASTIC 75 – Romero 14, Colina 14, Dehesa 12, Ballesteros 11, Tan 11, Lopez 4, Arboleda 3, Petilos 2, Magat 2, Alano 2, Chiu 0, Melegrito 0.

WANGS 59 – Juico 20, Ilad 14, Acosta 10, Namocatcat 5, Vijandre 3, Lopez 3, Galliguez 2, Banal 2, Cerico 0, Sanchez 0, Castro 0, Macuha 0.

Quarters: 12-17; 37-32; 55-53; 75-59.

Second Game
DERULO ACCELERO 82 – Soyud 22, Bautista 20, Corpuz 13, Jeffries 11, Roncal 7, Wong 7, Importante 2, Dilay 0, Manuel 0, Wierzba 0, Juruena 0, Morillo 0.

ARELLANO-AIR 21 75 – Jalalon 17, Webb 12, Rogado 12, Bangga 9, Arquero 6, Mendoza 6, Cortes 6, Hernandez 5, Agovida 2, Ciriacruz 0, Acidre 0.

Quarters: 16-18; 35-32; 57-48; 82-75.

Third Game
HOG’S BREATH 83 – Sanga 21, Paniamogan 16, Racal 11, Terso 8, Gabawan 6, Allera 5, Belorio 5, Bartolo 4, Rios 4, Austria 3, Ruaya 0.

NLEX 78 – Lanete 19, Adeogun 11, J. Pascual 9, Long 9, ganuelas 7, Dela Cruz 6, Amer 5, Villarias 4, R. Pascual 3, K. Pascual 2, Hermida 2, Dela Rosa 1, Koga 0.

Quarters: 11-15; 37-36; 59-59; 83-78.