Rookie sparks Suns surge over Builders

Games Thursday (Ynares Arena)

12 p.m. – Zambales M-Builders vs Wang’s Basketball

2p.m. – Arellano U vs Hog’s Breath Café

4p.m. – Cebuana Lhuillier vs Café France

MANILA, Philippines - Rookie Don Trollano and Mark Bringas delivered as Cagayan Valley Rising Suns turned back Zambales M-Builders, 91-87, to grab the lead in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup yesterday at Arellano Gym.

Following up his 22-point performance in Thursday’s opening-day victory, Trollano rifled in 27 points to lead the scoring parade for Cagayan, now on top of the heap with a 2-0 win-loss card.

Bringas scored only eight markers but made the most important basket of the game, a crucial shot from the right corner with 3.8 seconds left that gave the Rising Suns the needed cushion in posting win No. 2.

In the other games, Boracay Rum clobbered Derulo Accelero, 86-59, while Jumbo Plastic routed a Bobby Parks Jr.-less NU-BDO, 76-56.

The Rising Suns dominated the first half, opening leads of 17-4 and 24-13. But the Builders slowly clawed their way in the second half with good ball rotation and balanced scoring.

After a close third quarter, M-Builders took the lead at 74-72 on a 3-point shot by Jett Vidal.

But the Rising Suns countered with a 9-2 blast with Trollano capping the run with a huge 3-pointer that gave Cagayan an 81-76 lead.

The Rising Suns maintained an 87-84 lead and appeared to have the game under their belt when Vidal missed a desperate 3-point attempt. But teammate Roger Pogoy cornered the rebound and after a couple of dribble, hit a clutch 3-pointer to tie the count.

Gryann Mendoza scored 15 points and Bryan Cruz added 14 for the Builders, who fell to 1-1.

After a close first half, the Waves pulled away in the third quarter by outscoring the Oilers, 31-16. Boracay Rum shot 61 percent in the quarter with Mac Belo pouring 10 of his game-high 16 points.

But it was Chris Banchero’s leadership and court savvy that enabled the Waves to dominate the game.

“We played great a third quarter and everybody played a great game. Every time you win by 20 points it’s a great game,” offered Banchero, who finished with 15 points and four assists.

“It’s a lot physical here and you got away with a lot of it,” said the former ABL star. “But that’s good because that’s how it is in the PBA.”

The Waves played without head coach Lawrence Chongson but assistant Bert Flores did a good job as substitute.

Boracay Rum led by just six points at halftime but opened the third with a 16-4 run and the Oilers never recovered from there.

Clearly, Banchero’s unselfish play and leadership inspired his teammates and opened a lot of opportunities for the Waves.

“I want to win a championship for Boracay and to be able to do that I have to get my teammates involved,” said Banchero adding “this team is not about me.”

 Boracay Rum also got a huge game from Kenneth Acibar (12 points, 9 rebounds) and Roider Cabrera (10 points).

Jose Manuel and Mark Jeffries scored 14 apiece for the Oilers, who picked up their second straight loss.

 the rest of the way.

The scores:

First Game

Jumbo Plastic 76 – Custodio 25, Ballesteros 15, Colina 15, Magat 10, Dehesa 6, Romero 3, Melegrito 2, Petilos 0, Chiu 0, Antipuesto 0, Tan 0.

NU-BDO 56 – Rono 18, Alolino 14, Rosario 8, Perez 5, Javelona 4, Neypez 2, Javillonar 2. Khobuntin 2, De Guzman 1, Villamor 0.

Quarters: 27-13; 31-25; 53-44; 76-56.

Second Game

Boracay Rum 86 – Belo 16, Banchero 15, Acibar 12, Cabrera 10, Bautista 9, Viernes 8, Taha 6, Tagarda 4, Arellano 3, Sabellina 2, Rosopa 1, Siruma 0.

Derulo Acceleo 59 – Manuel 14, Jeffries 14, Morillo 10, Bautista 9, Soyud 5, Wong 5, Asilum 2, Dilay 0, Corpuz 0, Juruena 0, Gingerich 0, Importante 0.

Quarters: 19-14; 34-28; 65-44; 86-59

Third Game

Cagayan Valley 91 – Trollano 27, Ighalo 20, Celada 16, Pinto 12, Bringas 8, Caperal 4, Mercader 2, MAbulac 2, Saycon 0, Foronda 0.

M-Builders 87 – Mendoza 15, Cruz 14, Tolomia 12, Gomez 10, Ignacio 9, Vidal 9, Pogoy 7, Doligon 7, Alabanza 2, Saret 2, Maniago 0, Wong 0.

Quarters: 22-13; 42-37; 67-66; 91-87