Cagayan Valley rises to 3-0 start

MANILA, Philippines – Cagayan Valley got off to a fast start and improved to 3-0 with a lopsided 92-75 victory over struggling Arellano University on Tuesday in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the San Juan Arena.

The Rising Suns put the game away in the last seven minutes of the third quarter. After John Bangga pulled the Chiefs to within 53-58, Cagayan Valley unloaded a 16-7 run starring John Foronda and Nard Pinto, who ended the spurt with a 3-pointer for 74-60 advantage going into the fourth.

In the other game, Ralph Olivares scored 11 of his 13 points in the second quarter as Cebuana Lhuillier held off Derulo Accerelo for a 88-60 victory.

The 6-2 guard was huge in the second period, going 3 of 5 from 3-point range. He knocked two of three treys that touched off a 19-7 run and Gems turned 24-22 Oilers lead into a 41-31 Cebuana Lhuillier advantage after three quarters.

James Martinez finished with 15 points and Paul Zamar added 14 for the Gems, who bounced back from a 67-70 loss to Café France last Thursday. The two guards also combined for 12 of the team’s 18 assists.

Raul Soyud scored 15 points and Jose Manuel had 10 for the Oilers, who fell to 0-3.

 â€œI thought we played well. Our defense clicked in the third quarter,” said Cagayan Valley assiatnt coach Toto Dojillo, who was sent by the team for the post-game interview because head coach Alvin Pua wouldn’t want to be interviewed.

Pinto scattered a game-high 23 points on 8 of 12 shooting. He also had five assists, two steals and a block in 25 minutes of play. Don Trollano tallied 17, Andrian Celeda had 14 and Foronda added 12 for the Rising Suns, who are having their season best start.

Arellano U picked its second straight loss.

With Bangga and Jam Cortes pulling down a combined 22 rebounds, Arellano U dominated the Cagayan Valley off the boards, 55-44.

But the Chiefs are so careless with the basketball, committing a horrendous 22 turnovers that netted the Risins Suns 31 points. Cagayan Valley turned the ball over 11 times.

The Chiefs missed its first five field goal attempts until Moncrief Rogado came off the bench and got Arellano U’s offense going. He scored 10 points including two 3-point shots as the Chiefs pulled within seven points at the end of the first quarter.

A basket by Jam Cortes, a 3-pointer by Levi Hernandez and two free throws by Rocky Acidre made it 24-26 before the Rising Suns pulled away again.

Rogado scored 17 points, Bangga had 15 and Jiovani Jalalon added 10 for the Chiefs, who committed 22 turnovers that netted the Cagayan Valley 31 points.

Notwithstanding those miscues, Arellano U managed to keep the game close going into the last five minutes until they went scoreless in a span of three minutes.

The scores:

First Game

Cagayan Valley 92 – Pinto 23, Trollano 17, Celeda 14, Foronda 12, Ighalo 9, Mabulac 7, Bringas 3, Saycon 2, Caperal 2, Melano 2, Jamito 1, Mercader 0, Canta 0, Dela Cruz 0.

Arellano U-Air 21 75 – Rogado 17, Bangga 15, Jalalon 10, Cortes 9, Ciriacruz 9, Hernandez 5, Acidre 4, Agovida 3, Lapuz 2, Fran 1, Bartolo 0.

Quarters:24-17; 49-42; 74-60; 92-75

Second Game

Cebuana Lhuillier 88 – Martinez 15, Zamar 14, Olivares 13, Banal 11, Aguilar 8, Javier 7, Dizon 6, Alas 5, Leynes 5, Casajeros 2, Flores 2, Paredes 0, Noble 2.

Derulo Accelero 60 – Soyud 15, Manuel 10, Juruena 7, Wong 6, Jeffries 6, Corpuz 4, Morillo 4, Importante 3, Bautista 3, Dilay 2, Wierzba 0.

Quarters: 19-18; 41-31; 62-44; 88-60.