D-LEAGUE: 8-MAN HAPEE STILL TOO MUCH FOR CEBUANA LHUILLIER
Undermanned, but never overmatched.
Hapee stayed undefeated in the 2015 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup after surviving the tough Cebuana Lhuillier squad in a close 72-66 affair Thursday at the TIP Gym in Manila.
Without key players from San Beda who were playing in the PCCL Finala, coach Ronnie Magsanoc had to rely on his eight-man rotation which held on until the end.
“Second quarter pa lang, ramdam na namin eh,” he said.
Bobby Ray Parks led the Fresh Fighters with 23 points and seven boards, and Garvo Lanete got 12 markers in the victory.
Troy Rosario also added a near-double-double with his nine points and 14 rebounds for Hapee, which now improved to 4-0.
The Fresh Fighters got off to an early start and held a 13-point edge, 33-20, before fatigue slowly kicked in and allowed the Gems to come back to the ball game.
“Yung ginawa ni coach Boycie (Zamar) na bilisan yung pace and ball pressure, nahirapan talaga kami,” Magsanoc said, as Cebuana got to as close as two, 63-65, after a Mar Villahermosa three in the final three minutes,
However, Almond Vosotros could not buy a basket in the end as Parks, Lanete, and Earl Thompson drained free throws to secure the win.
“Pinipilit namin, pero pagod na rin yung players eh. Pinagdasal ko na lang na ma-shoot yung free throws. We really have to get better as the tournament goes around,” Magsanoc said.
The soft-spoken coach also credited his eight players, saying, They were strong, played team basketball, and we rode their shoulders in today’s game.”
“They promised they’ll get the win. Buo ang loob nila and andun yung desire to play through. We cannot say anything about the effort of these eight players.”
Vosotros topscored for his squad with 20 points, as Villahermosa wounded up with 14 for the Gems, who fell to 2-3.
In the second game, CafeFrance rebounded from a double-overtime loss against Cagayan last week to downTanduay Light, 69-59.
Jam Cortez pounded the Rhum Masters early, as the Bakers went on to a 12-0 blast to post an 18-6 advantage and never surrendered the lead.
But Roi Sumang threatened the Bakers in the payoff period, pulling Tanduay as close as eight, 63-55, with 8:33 left. Unfortunately, Jonar Huertas and Aaron Jeruta hit timely baskets as CafeFrance rolled on to its fourth victory in five games.
“I’m very happy kasi nakabawi kami sa talo namin. It’s a good character ng team na naka-bounce back so happy kami lahat,” said CafeFrance coach Egay Macaraya.
Cortez finished with 12 points, while Joseph Sedurifa had 11. Maverick Ahanmisi also got 10 in the victory despite fouling out.
Tanduay played without coach Lawrence Chongson as the Rhum Masters lost their fourth straight game after winning their season opener.
Sumang topscored for Tanduay in the losing effort with 17 points. (RL)
The Scores:
First Game:
Hapee 72 – Parks 23, Lanete 12, Rosario 9, Long 9, Hayes 7, Thompson 5, Newsome 5, Van Opstal 2.
Cebuana Lhuillier 66 – Vosotros 20, Villahermosa 14, A. Mangahas 9, Torres 7, Guinto 6, Enciso 5, Ferrer 2, Arellano 2, Lopez 1, Canlas 0, Acibar 0, Zamar 0, J. Mangahas 0, Sarangay 0.
Quarters: 22-13, 35-28, 52-42, 72-66.
Second Game
CafeFrance 69 – Cortez 12, Sedurifa 11, Ahanmisi 11, Ebondo 9, Galanza 8, Huertas 6, Jeruta 5, De Leon 4, Abundo 2, Batino 2, Noble 0, Andrada 0.
Tanduay Light 59 – Sumang 17, Banal 8, Tagarda 7, Riño 7, Escueta 4, Mandani 4, Ignacio 4, Foronda 3, Santos 2, Belencion 2, Ilagan 1, Jumao-as 0.
Quarters: 20-10, 34-19, 46-32, 69-59.
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