Taller Road Warriors outclass Jeans Makers

MANILA, Philippines - NLEX took advantage of their size and depth in its 75-51 rout of Freego Jeans on Thursday in Game 1 of their titular series for the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Road Warriors were in complete control of the game through and never gave their overmatched opponents a chance to make the game exciting.

Ian Sanggalang scored 20 points on 9 of 14 shooting for NLEX, which won for the second time against the Jeans Makers this conference. The 6-foot-6 center, a consistent source of points over three quarters, also had eight rebounds, one steal and two blocks.

RR Garcia, the 2010 UAAP most valuable player, tallied 19 points and had five assists while power forward Cliff Hodge had 15 rebounds as the Road Warriors dominated the boards, 59-35.

Winner of the inaugural Foundation Cup, NLEX can clinch its second championship trophy with another victory on Tuesday in Game Two of the best-of-three series. 

“I’m happy with the way the players responded even though we didn’t have a rest. Hopefully we could play with the same amount of energy on Tuesday,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez, who readily dismissed the impression that this series is a mismatch.

“I don’t think so. I think they (Freego Jeans) are just out of sync because of the long break they had,” Fernandez offered.

The Jeans Makers have not played since dispatching Cebuana Lhuillier in Game 2 of their semifinals series Tuesday last week.

“Definitely we are not taking (Freego) lightly. They are capable of pulling a surprise. I know coach Leo, he’s got a lot of tricks up his sleeves. So we have to be ready,” Fernandez said.

NLEX took the lead for good when guard Eman Monfort knocked a 3-pointer for the game’s first basket.

Freego Jeans coach Leo Austria has repeatedly said that they are overmatched in this series and it showed in the second quarter. The Road Warriors held the Jeans Makers to just five points and 2 of 17 shooting in the period for a 40-21 advantage at halftime.  

 Starting guard Lester Alvarez turned in 13 points but he was the only player in double digit as Freego’s big men had a tough time against NLEX’s frontcourt starring Sanggalang, Hodge and Calvin Abueva.

The scores:

NLEX 75 – Sanggalang 20, Garcia 13, Lanete 8, Hodge 8, Abueva 7, Monfort 5, Marcelo 5, Co 3, Hermida 2, Suguitan 2, Belencion 2, Arao 0, Ellis 0, Dehesa 0.

 Freego Jeans 51 – Alvarez 13, Camson 8, Nuyles 7, Cabrera 6, Manyara 5, Apinan 4, Austria 2, Brondial 2, Lopez 2, Lozada 1, Elinon 1, Monteclaro 0.

 Quarterscores: 21-16, 40-21, 57-32, 75-51