Big Chill, Cagayan Valley blast rivals

Games Tomorrow
(San Juan Arena)
2 p.m. – Blackwater Sports vs Cebuana Lhuillier
4 p.m. – NLEX vs Hog’s Breath


MANILA, Philippines -- Big Chill used a big first quarter in a 82-60 romp over Boracay Rum while Cagayan Valley was just as dominating in the first half of its 98-56 rout of Informatics on Monday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

With Terrence Romeo providing leadership as well as the points, the Superchargers set the tone of the rout early to bounce back from a 63-69 loss to newcomer Hog’s Breath last week.

“I’m really happy we got this win. Our loss to [Hog’s Breath] really affected our morale. I guess the players have realized there’s no pushover in this league,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison.

Janus Lazoda scored 18 points, including 4 of 6 shooting from the 3-point range, for Big Chill. Arvie Bringas had 16 points while Romeo contributed 15 in his first game since a hand injury sidelined him late in the elimination of last conference’s Aspirants’ Cup.

The Superchargers, who improved to 2-1, were just ahead by one when Mac Montilla nailed a 3-pointer to spark a 17-0 run. Romeo had eight points in that spurt as Big Chill opened up a 22-6 advantage after one quarter.

The Waves were never in the game after that.

Roider Cabrera tallied 14 points and Paolo Taha added 11 for the Waves, who were hurt by poor shooting [36 percent] and 22 turnovers. They fell 2-2.     

The Cagayan Rising Suns get down to business right away and secured their first win in just 20 minutes.

Earlier, James Forrester scored 17 points and Chris Eximiniano added 14 for the Rising Suns, who made short work of the Icons.

The Rising Suns, who bounced back from an 85-89 overtime loss to Blackwater Sports last week, scored the first eight points of the game then coasted the rest of the way.

“Our outside shots clicked and the players played defense without letdown. I guess that’s the key,” said Cagayan Valley coach Alvin Pua.

The Rising Suns led by as many as 93-51 late in the game.

“The players were disappointed about our loss in the first game. But they know they have no one else to blame but themselves. Their tendency to relax every time we have a good lead led to our downfall [against Blackwater]. Today they were focused and determined. Hopefully, we could build on this.”

John Lansang and Mark Bringas had 11 points a piece and Chris Canta contributed 10 for the Rising Suns, who shot 50 percent (11 of 22) from the 3-point range.

The Icons never had a chance to even keep the game close largely because they were  shot poorly (29 percent) and committed 18 turnovers that netted the Risins Suns 19 points.

Moncrief Rogado scored 13 points, Nate Matute had 11 and Jeric Teng added 10 for the Icons, who picked up their third straight loss in as many games.    


The scores:

First Game

Cagayan Valley 98 – Forrester 17, Eximiniano 14, Langsang 11, Bringas 11, Canta 10, Poligrates 8, Melano 8, Montemayor 8, Celada 7, Cruz 2, Lao 2, Villanil 0, Del Rio 0.

Informatics 56 – Rogado 13; Matute 11, Teng 10, Acuna 5, Ablaza 4, Montuano 4, Cortes 4, Cabonce 2, Benitez 2, Gamboa 1, Labis 0, Ibay 0, Camus 0, Acidre 0.

Quarters: 22-12; 51-28; 79-45; 98-56

Second Game

Big Chill 82 – Lozada 18, Bringas 16, Romeo 15, Nuyles 12, Heruela 9, Montilla 6, Canlas 4, Santos 2, Bonifacio 0, Holstein 0, Dumapig 0, Villahermosa 0.

Boracay Rum 60 – Cabrera 14, Taha 11, Sabellina 8, Siruma 7, Bandaying 6, Acibar 4, Tagarda 4, Viernes 4, Uguilos 2, Arellano 0, Monteclaro 0, Ilagan 0.

Quarters: 22-6; 42-26; 64-40; 82-60.