Games on Monday (Ynares Arena, Pasig City)
12 nn – Hapee vs AMA
2 p.m. – Jumbo Plasctic vs Cebuana Lhuillier
4 p.m. – MJM Builders vs Tanduay Light
Cagayan Valley opened their season with their number 1 pick, Moala Tautuaa.
The Rising Suns didn’t seem to miss the absence of the 6-foot-7 Fil-Am Moala Tatuaa.
Michael Mabulac turned in a double-double effort and the Rising Suns repelled a late rally by MJM Builders for a 94-86 victory on Thursday in the PBA Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
But the limelight fell on MP Hotel following its 87-70 upset win against Wangs Basketball in the second game.
The Rising Suns seized control in the second quarter and held the Builders in check with tireless hassle and excellent ball movement.
Mabulac, who had his right hand wrapped in iced after hurting it while going for a loose ball late in the fourth, registered a game-high 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for Cagayan Valley, which shot 45 percent from the field and made 11 of 18 free throws attempts.
New recruit Alex Austria also had a big game with 13 points and six assists while Don Trollono and Andrian Celeda aded 12 points apiece for the Rising Suns, who led by as much as 16 points.
The scores:
CAGAYAN VALLEY 94 – Mabulac 20, Austria 13, Trollano 12, Celeda 12, Melano 9, Flores 7, Dilay 6, Tayongtong 6, Galliguez 5, Mag-isa 4.
MJM Builders 86 – Tolomia 15, Perez 13, Alolino 13, Jose 12, Javelona 10, Khobuntin 7, Inigo 7, Mendoza 6, Cruz 2, Pogoy 1.
Quarters: 26-24; 51-42; 75-62; 94-86
MP Hotel 87 – Sumido 14, Collado 13, Pacquiao 11, Allen 9, McCarthy 9, Morillo 9, Escosio 6, Yaya 4, Blanco 4, Belorio 3, Calo 2, Bulac 2, Landicho 1, Hainga 0.
WANGS BASKETBALL 70 – Acosta 10, Montuano 9, Juico 8, Mendoza 8, Pontejos 7, Miranda 7, Arambulo 6, Acidre 5, Importante 4, Rosopa 4, Acuna 2, Ferrer 0, Vijandre 0, Lina 0.
Quarters: 14-13; 42-28; 61-48; 87-70.