BY JONAS TERRADO
Games Today
(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City)
1 p.m. – TIP vs AMA Senior High
3 p.m. – Wangs-Letran vs FamilyMart
5 p.m. – SEAOIL-FEU vs APEX-San Sebastian
Builders Warehouse-University of Santo Tomas rolled to another convincing win Monday after spoiling the debut of Diliman College, 106-93, in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Soulemane Chabi-yo had 24 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks before spending the fourth quarter on the bench while Dave Ando scored nine of his 14 points in the first period to give the Growling Tigers the early lead with their second straight victory.
Coach Aldin Ayo hailed the performance of Chabi-yo, who highlighted his dominant effort with back-to-back blocks on John Pedrosa and two dunks in the third that saw Builders Warehouse-UST build an 83-53 lead.
“For the past three or four games (including games outside of the D-League), di pa siya nakakapaglaro ng maayos,” said Ayo. “I told him to play well and make sure na makakuha siya ng confidence.”
He was also pleased with the performance of CJ Cansino, who had nine points, five rebounds and five steals in his D-League debut.
Rhenz Abando and Vince Cuajao scored 13 and 11 points and veteran Zach Huang added 10 points and five rebounds for UST which entered the game coming a 115-62 drubbing of Technological Institute of the Philippines last Thursday.
Senegalese center Abdoulaye Niang had 30 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks for Diliman College in a losing cause.
SKIPPERS WIN
Meanwhile, Jaime Malonzo didn’t disappoint in his debut as Marinerong Pilipino defeated ADG Dong-Mapua University, 83-69, to gain a share of the early lead.
Showing his athleticism, Malonzo finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and six steals as Marinerong Pilipino joined Builders Warehouse-University of Santo Tomas on top with a 2-0 slate.
“Malaking tulong talaga si Jaime and hopefully maging consistent siya parati,” said Skippers coach Yong Garcia.
The former La Salle standout was taken second overall by Marinero after AMA Online Education Senior High opted to pass the opportunity to name Malonzo as the No. 1 pick in the draft.
Malonzo was given the green light to play after completing necessary requirements that forced him to miss Marinero’s season-opening win over Karate Kid-Centro Escolar University last week.
Juan Gomez de Liano had 18 points, 11 rebounds and four assists while Alfred Batino also scored in double figures with 14 points while grabbing seven boards.
Batino conspired with Dhon Reverente in the third quarter that enabled Marinero to pull away from a 40-38 halftime lead.
The two combined for 12 points in the period to put the Skippers ahead 62-51.
Laurenz Victoria and Carl Bryan Lacap scored 16 and 14 points for ADG Dong-Mapua in the loss.
