D-LEAGUE: HAPEE GOES FOR CLINCHER
Hapee attempts to close the deal and clinch the 2015 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup when it battles Cagayan Valley in Game 2 of their best-of-three championship series on Thursday.
Capitalizing on their championship experience and poise, the Fresh Fighters dominated the series’ opener on Monday and downed the Rising Suns, 82-74, avenging their 77-80 loss to the same team that inflicted their only defeat in the eliminations.
Ola Adeogun and Troy Rosario made the big difference. The Nigerian center tallied 21 points and grabbed 15 boards while slowing down Cagayan’s Moala Tautuaa. Rosario added 16 markers on 7-of-10 shooting as Hapee move on the verge of a championship celebration to mark its return to the basketball scene after a five-year hiatus.
Scottie Thompson and Baser Amer also made their presence felt, particularly on defense and steadying the team in the crucial third quarter when the Rising Suns pulled threateningly close at 46-50.
Game 2 comes off at 3 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Leaving nothing chance, Hapee coach Ronnie Magsanoc has cautioned his troops to be ready for a more physical and demanding encounter as the back-to-the-wall Rising Suns fight to live another day and extend the series to a deciding Game 3.
This marks the second “do-or die” game for the Rising Suns, who also lost in Game 1 of their semifinal series against the Cebuana Lhuilier Gems before winning the next two games to advance to the Finals.
“Ola and Troy (Rosario) have been the work horses of our team. I can’t ask for more from them than to finish the race. It will be much harder on Thursday but I’m hopeful they will continue to hold the forth for us. Scottie and Baser also gave us a big lift.” said Magsanoc in praise of his two hardworking troops.
He added: “Hopefully we could slow them [Rising Suns] down again.” Before Game 1, Cagayan Valley, which swept the 11-game eliminations, was averaging 100 points the previous three games.
Many observers believe the top-seeded Rising Suns can bounce back but Tautuaa, the US-born Fil-Tongan who became the focal point of Cagayan’s title drive, needs a lot of help.
The 6-7 Taatuaa scored 16 points and pulled down 15 boards but the Rising Suns’ usually high-scoring backcourt didn’t click in the opener.
Abel Galliguez, who normally thrives in the clutch, managed just three points on 0 for 6 shooting, Eric Salamat was 2-of-6 from the field while Ally Austria made just one attempt and missed. (DBC)
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