Diliman-Gerry’s Grill scorches SMDC-NU

MANILA, Philippines — Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill shook off a sluggish start to overturn SMDC-National U, 82-70, and bounce back in the PBA D-League yesterday.

Kevine Gandjeto dropped 16 points, Marco Balagtas scored 14 while Joseph Brutas and John Mahari each had 13 to allow the Blue Dragons to turn things around in the second half after trailing 36-43 at the break.

Diliman-Gerry’s Grill recovered from a 65-71 loss to Perpetual Help the last time out to improve to joint fifth at 2-2 in the Foundation Group while keeping SMDC-NU winless in four games.

“The defense made this win for us. We are not known in this tournament but we keep on striving and at the same time, we want to prove to ourselves that we can compete,” said Blue Dragons coach Rensy Bajar.

Diliman-Gerry’s Grill trailed by as many as 12 points, 25-37, in the second quarter but Gandjeto, Balagtas, Brutas and Mahari responded in the final half where they combined for 31 of the team’s 46 points. SMDC-NU was limited to 27 points in the last two quarters.

Gandjeto also pulled down 13 boards for the Blue Dragons who outrebounded the Bulldogs, 61-48.

John Clemente put in a game-high 22 points, John Galinato came through with 16 while Issa Gaye added 10 points and 15 rebounds for SMDC-NU.

Metropac-San Beda used a strong start to pummel Cha Dao-Far Eastern U, 75-51, and get back on track in the Foundation Group.

The Movers broke the game wide open early in the second quarter, posting a 31-11 spread and never lost control to secure their third win in four tries.