Games Monday (Trinity University of Asia Gym)
2 p.m. – Big Chill vs Zambales M-Builders
4 p.m. – Hog’s Breath Café vs Cafe France
MANILA, Philippines - Big Chill turned what was expected to be a tight duel with Cagayan Valley into a mismatch, running away with an 89-75 rout to grab the solo lead as Jumbo Plastic thumped erstwhile unbeaten Hog’s Breath, 87-70, in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City yesterday.
The Superchargers used their height advantage to the hilt, dominating the Rising Suns early on then holding sway in the second half to post their eighth win against a setback.
The Giants, meanwhile, rode on a strong second quarter run to demolish the Razonbacks, to improve to 6-2 while dealing the former solo leaders their first loss after seven straight wins.
Café France capped the day of routs as it clobbered Wang’s Basketball, 64-48, for a 6-3 mark.
After grinding out a tough 70-63 victory over Arellano U last Tuesday, Big Chill vowed to treat each game like a playoff match and the Superchargers did it as promised.
Reserve forward Jeckster Apinan came off the bench and helped steer Big Chill to a 26-11 lead after the first quarter before starting forward Reil Cervantes took over in the second in a game that was almost over with still nearly eight minutes left in the third quarter.
The Bakers, meanwhile, leaned on Mon Abundo, a 5-8 reserved guard, who poured in 10 of his game-high 17 points in the third period as Café France outscored Wang’s Basketball, 22-12, to stretch its six-point halftime lead to 46-30 going into the fourth.
Abundo also had 12 rebounds to finish with a double-double effort as did Rod Ebondo, who turned in 12 points and 10 boards as the Bakers stayed within sight of the leaders.
Like Big Chill, Jumbo Plastic capitalized on their size to dominate Hog’s Breath and rebound from Monday’s 78-82 loss to Cagayan Valley.
The Giants used a 15-6 run to start the third quarter and roared to a 59-44 bulge on the way to victory.