Boracay Rum adds to Hog’s woes, fans bid

MANILA, Philippines - Boracay Rum kept its win run going into the new year while extending Hog’s Breath Café’s skid as it fashioned out a 91-67 romp yesterday to boost its playoffs bid in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Arellano Gym yesterday.

Chris Banchero scattered 16 points and had six assists, Jeff Vierness had 14 markers and SEA Games veteran Mark Belo dished out a double-double job of 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Waves, who won back-to-back to close out their campaign last year for a 5-5 mark for solo seventh in the 14-team field.

“We needed this win. This (win) doesn’t mean anything for the time being but were still hoping for the best. But the good thing right now is that the players are starting to play with the system. We can still be better,” said Boracay Rum coach Lawrence Chongson.

Earlier, National U-Banco de Oro snapped a string of six straight losses by also routing Arellano University, 97-68, at the Chiefs home court.

The Waves shot 50 percent from the field while pouncing on the Razorbacks’ anemic shooting in the first quarter to open a 26-13 lead.

Boracay Rum finished the game with a 47 percent shooting (35 of 74) while Hog’s Breath Café made just 36.7 percent of its attempts (22 of 60) but still fell to its third straight defeat after sweeping its first seven matches.

The Waves, meanwhile, crashed the boards with impunity, 60-28, to gain an 11-4 advantage on second chance points and a 14-9 edge on fastbreak points.

“We’re outrebounded. Our shooting is also very bad,” said Hog’s Breath Café coach Caloy Garcia. With a 7-3 mark, he said they need to win two of their last three games to make the next round.

Bobby Ray Parks Jr. scored 20 points and Jethroy Rosario added 18 for the Bulldogs. 

The Bulldogs hadn’t played a game since their 69-74 loss to Café France last Dec. 3. But they didn’t seem to miss beat a despite the long layoff, completely dominating the Chiefs with their up-tempo game and quick ball movement.