D-LEAGUE FINALS: HAPEE TAKES GAME 1
There won’t be any meltdown this time.
Learning from their previous meeting, Hapee made sure that they draw first blood in the 2015 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Finals, besting Cagayan Valley, 82-74, Monday at The Arena in San Juan.
The Fresh Fighters took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-3 titular series behind their big men Ola Adeogun, Troy Rosario, and Art de la Cruz.
Leading the pack was the Nigerian Adeogun, who tallied a double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds, to go with three blocks. Rosario, meanwhile, had 16 markers, as de la Cruz chimed in 11 points and six boards.
“Ola and Troy have been the workhorses for the team. I cannot ask for more from them but to just finish the race,” said Hapee coach Ronnie Magsanoc. “It’s gonna be harder on Thursday, but I hope Ola and Troy will hold the fort for us.”
The Point Laureate also praised the efforts of Earl Thompson and Baser Amer in the second half, as the guards anchored Hapee to the win despite the tough fightback from the Rising Suns.
“Scottie Thompson and Baser Amer gave us a huge lift,” Magsanoc said. “(Cagayan) is made to run. Hopefully, we will try once again to slow them down.”
Hapee turned a close 14-11 affair in the first quarter and unloaded a 15-0 run to take a commanding 29-11 at the end of the period. The Fresh Fighters continued to pound the ball as they even took a 20-point lead at one point, 35-15, courtesy of an Earl Thompson layup.
But just like in their eliminations meeting, the Rising Suns roared back in the second half and sliced the lead down to just four, 50-46, halfway through the quarter.
However, Hapee just had more gas in the tank, as the Fresh Fighters fired an 11-2 run to take a 61-48 edge and went on cruise control for the remainder of the ballgame.
The Fresh Fighters made use of their extended rest, as their bench outscored those of the Rising Suns, 51-33.
Before the game, Bobby Ray Parks was adjudged as the Most Valuable Player of the conference, giving him one more hardware in his ever growing collection of accolades.
“I’m very happy for Ray,” Magsanoc said of the son of seven-time Best Import awardee Bobby Parks Sr.
“Parang full circle kasi yung pinakamabait at pinakamagaling na import na kakampi namin ni Benjie (Paras), player na namin,” said Magsanoc. “It’s a privilege. He deserves it. Moala Tautuaa also deserves it, but only one can get the award. It’s a matter of time before he makes a mark in the pro ranks.”
Tautuaa registered a double-double for Cagayan Valley with his 16 points and 15 rebounds, while Michael Mabulac chipped in 14 markers.
Don Trollano also added 13 points, while Jason Melano got 12 points and six rebounds before fouling out late in the game. (RL)
The Scores:
Hapee 82 – Adeogun 21, Rosario 16, Dela Cruz 11, Amer 9, Lanete 9, Parks 6, Thompson 6, Newsome 3, Elorde 1, Mendoza 0, Long 0, Hayes 0.
Cagayan Valley 74 – Tautuaa 16, Mabulac 14, Trollano 13, Melano 12, Salamat 7, Celada 4, Dilay 3, Galliguez 3, Flores 2, Austria 0, Tayongtong 0, Santos 0.
Quarters: 29-11, 45-32, 67-54, 82-74.
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