By Jerome Lagunzad
Games Monday
(Ynares Sports Arena)
1 p.m. – Batangas vs Gamboa Coffee Mix
3 p.m. – CEU vs Marinerong Pilipino
5 p.m. – Che’Lu Bar and Grill vs Wang’s
Thrust to the full coaching role after carrying the colors of Jose Rizal University for quite some time, promising Gio Lasquety got more than what he asked for from his former teammates.
Firing on all cylinders, the Heavy Bombers proved too hot for newcomer Mila’s Lechon Mighty Roasters, 96-67, yesterday for an auspicious start in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Former pro Jeckster Apinan dominated down low with game-highs of 20 points and 14 rebounds while forward Ervin Grospe and guard Paolo Pontejos added at least 14 markers each as JRU turned what started a tight match into a breeze by outplaying an erratic Mila’s Lechon side on both ends.
In the other match, Zark’s Burgers rode on a roaring start to pull away from AMA Online Education for a wire-to-wire 109-85 victory.
Top gun CJ Perez banged in 11 of his 15 points in the first half while Cameroon big man Mike Nzeusseu highlighted his 17-point, 10-rebound showing with a rim-rattling left-handed throwdown over Titans counterpart Andre Paras in the final period, typifying the Jawbreakers’ game-long dominance.
It was the second straight blowout victory in three days for Zark’s Burgers, which made quick work of Batangas, 112-75, last Tuesday and improved its mark to 2-1, already surpassing its one-win showing in the Foundation Cup last year.