Games Jan. 5, 2015
JCSGO Gym, Cubao, Quezon City
12 n.n.. – AMA University vs Cagayan Valley
2 p.m. – Racal Motors vs Hapee
2 p.m. – Tanduay Light vs Jumbo Plastic
Hapee withstood repeated rallies by MP Hotel and the Fresh Fighters preserved their pristine record heading to the Christmas break with an 84-63 victory against the Warriors on Thursday in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Marikina Sports Complex.
The Warriors kept the game close for three quarters before Chris Newsome picked up his offensive rhythm in the fourth as the league leaders pulled away.
“Mahirap kalaban pag tumatama. And we didn’t defend the way we’re supposed to. I thought Ray Ray (Park) did another good job on both ends,” said Hapee coach Ronnie Magsanoc afterwards.
Parks finished with a game-high 18 points and Hapee’s bench outscored MP Hotel’s second unit, 47-16, as the Fresh Fighters clinched their eighth straight win, enough to secure them an outright semifinal berth.
Ola Adeogun, Art dela Cruz, Newsome and Troy Rosario came off the bench and combined for 43 points. Newsome scored nine of his 10 points in the fourth and keyed a 16-12 run. Kirk Long started that run with a 3-pointer and Newsome ended with another trey to give Hapee a comfortable 75-61 lead with 3:45 left.
Reden Celda tallied 14 points while Jessie Collado and John Jamon added 13 and 11 points respectively for the Warriors, who picked up their sixth straight loss and seventh overall in eight games that practically eliminated them from the playoff race.
In the first game, MJM Builders got a lot of offensive support from its bench in dealing Wangs Basketball its fourth consecutive loss, 79-64.
It was practically a walk in the park for the Builders, who opened the game with a 17-3 run and dictated the pace the rest of the way. They shot 59 percent from the floor in the opening quarter for a 28-16 lead.
Chris Tolomia scored 15 points and Bryan Cruz added 10 to lead a standout performance by the bench. The second unit outscored Wangs Basketball’s bench, 41-27, to snap a three-game skid and improve to 2-6 (win-loss) record.
Assistant coach Eric Gonzalez called the shots for the Builders in the absence of head coach Nash Racela, who missed the game to help Talk N Text prepare for Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup.
The Couriers gained some momentum in the second quarter and made the game exciting when Rocky Acidre hit a jumper to pull Wangs Basketball within 52-59 with four minutes left in the third. They never got any closer, though.
Scores:
MJM BUILDERS 79 – Tolomia 15, Cruz 10, Jose 9, Perez 8, Khobuntin 8, Pogoy 6, Neypes 6, Belo 5, Matias 4, Mendoza 3, Inigo 3, Javelona 1, Alolino 1, Albertp 0.
WANGS 64 — Purdy 12, Morillo 11, Acosta 10, Rosopa 10, Ferrer 6, Montemayor 6, Montuano 4, Pontejos 2, Acidre 2, Marquez 1, Acuna 0, Lina 0.
Quarters: 28-16; 49-41; 63-54; 79-64.
HAPEE 84 – Parks 18, Adeogun 12, Dela Cruz 12, Newsome 10, Rosario 9, Opstal 7, Lanete 7, Long 5, Sorela 4, Amer 0, Koga 0, Thompson 0, Mendoza 0, Hayes 0.
MP HOTEL 63 – Celda 14, Collado 13, Jamon 11, Escosio 10, Pacquiao 7, Yaya 6, Calo 2, Allen 0, Bulac 0, Blanco 0, Quiro 0, Rogado 0, Landicho 0, Palma 0.
Quarters:23-16;38-28; 59-49; 84-63