CAFE FRANCE, CEBUANA LHUILLIER, WANGS OPEN 2015 PBA D-LEAGUE WITH A BANG
A bevy of beauties and a lot of hardcourt action welcomed the 2015 PBA D-League Season at the Ynares Sports Arena Monday.
Showbiz stunners Angel Locsin and Phoemela Barranda and beauty queens Venus Raj and MJ Lastimosa led the team muses in the short but meaningful opening ceremonies that preceded the opening triplebill.
In the first game, Fil-Am Maverick Ahanmisi impressed in his debut as he steered Cafe France to an easy 86-59 rout of league newcomer MP Hotel.
The Bakers used a strong first quarter surge to clobber the Warriors from the get-go and led by as big as 30, 72-42, in the third period.
Ahanmisi, who was originally a first round pick of Hapee-San Beda in the recent D-League Draft, led Cafe France with 11 points and four rebounds.
CEU guard Mon Alvin Abundo also recorded 11 markers, while big men Rod Ebondo and Jam Cortez both chucked in 10 points apiece.
“We just had a good start. Naninibago pa yung kalaban. Masusubukan kami pag strong teams na ang kalaban,” said Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya.
Jumabon Bulac topscored for MP Hotel with his nine points.
Bradwyn Guinto shone in the second game as Cebuana Lhuillier destroyed Racal Motors, 89-70.
Guinto paced the Gems with a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Allan Mangahas and Paul Zamar registered 13 markers apiece.
“We wanted to improve yung last standing namin, which is second runner up last time. We wanted to improve every practice and every game,” said Cebuana coach Boycie Zamar.
Jeff Viernes helped Racal gain a 16-2 advantage early on, but the Gems woke up from their slumber and pounced the Alibaba from that point on, extending their lead to as big as 22, 76-54, midway in the payoff period.
“Ito yung pinakamahirap, yung opening game. It’s a good thing na naka-recover kami,” Zamar said of their early game struggles.
Marte Gil led Racal Motors with 15 points, 10 coming in the fourth period, while Jamil Ortuoste wounded up with 12 markers.
In the third game, Wangs Basketball coasted to a 96-78 blowout of AMA University.
Michael Juico led the charge for the Couriers with 18 points, while Macky Acosta added 15 markers and five boards.
“Maganda yung result ng pinaghirapan namin. The boys really worked hard lalo na sa defense, at sa offense, na-execute naman yung plays namin ng maayos,” said Wangs Basketball coach Pablo Lucas after his Couriers led from start to finish in blasting AMA University. “Mas confident ako kasi mas kumpleto kami ngayon.”
AMA’s Jesmar Sabangan scored 11 of his 22 points in the fourth period to lead the Titans in the losing effort.
The Scores:
First Game:
Cafe France 86 – Ahanmisi 11, Abundo 11, Cortez 10, Ebondo 10, Jeruta 8, Andrada 8, Sedurifa 7, Galanza 6, Noble 6, Batino 5, Habelito 2, De Leon 2, Huertas 0, Celso 0.
MP Hotel 59 – Bulac 9, Escosio 8, Yaya 8, Collado 7, Belorio 6, McCarthy 5, Sumido 4, Calo 4, Morillo 4, Allen 2, Hainga 2, Blanco 0, Landicho 0.
Quarters: 31-9, 48-22, 69-42, 86-59.
Second Game:
Cebuana Lhuillier 89 – Guinto 18, A. Mangahas 13, Zamar 13, Vosotros 11, Villahermosa 10, Sison 8, Acibar 4, Ciriacruz 4, J. Mangahas 3, Enciso 2, Arellano 2, Sarangay 1.
Racal Motors 70 – Gil 15, Ortuoste 12, Viernes 11, Asuncion 11, Gabawan 8, Jamito 5, Saitanan 3, Ruaya 3, Ibay 2, Ibarra 0, Publico 0.
Quarters: 16-21, 44-33, 64-49, 89-70.
Third Game:
Wangs Basketball 96 – Juico 18, Acosta 15, Acidre 12, Miranda 11, Montuano 10, Pontejos 8, Mendoza 7, Vijandre 6, Arambuko 3, Lina 3, Rosopa 2, Ferrer 1, Importante 0, Acuna 0.
AMA University 78 – Sabangan 22, Balucanag 13, Purdy 12, Camasura 9, Taganas 6, Eriobu 5, Angeles 4, Malones 3, Olivares 3, Diswe 1, Santiago 0, Calma 0, Macaranas 0, Jordan 0.
Quarters: 24-10, 39-26, 73-49, 96-78.
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