PBA D-League: MJM M-Builders stop skid, Hapee, Cagayan roll

MANILA, Philippines – It was an action-packed Monday, December 22, as the PBA D-League ended its 2014 calendar year with a couple of intriguing matches, punctuated by an overtime clash.

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MJM M-Builders improve to 2-6 with win over Wangs Basketball

Led by Mike Tolomia’s 15 points and 10 from Carl Bryan Cruz, the MJM M-Builders outlasted Wangs Basketball, 79-64, in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup on Monday at the Marikina Sports Center.

MJM M-Builders snapped a 3-game skid to end the calendar year with a 2-6 win-loss card, though they remain near the bottom of the league standings.

Raymar Jose also pitched in with 8 points for the Builders, who won despite the absence of Head Coach Nash Racela, who was busy with the practice of the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters.

It wasn’t a contest to begin with, as the winning side raced off to a 7-0 lead and was on top by 12, 28-16, after the first quarter en route to an easy win.

Jawhar Purdy put up 12 points in his debut for Wangs Basketball, while Jeff Morillo pitched in with 11 markers.

Scores:

MJM (79) – Tolomia 15, Cruz 10, Jose 9, Perez 8, Khobuntin 8, Pogoy 6, Neypes 6, Belo 5, Matias 4, Mendoza 3, Inigo 3, Javelona 1, Alolino 1, Alberto 0

Wangs Basketball (64) – Purdy 12, Morillo 11, Acosta 10, Rosopa 10, Ferrer 6, Montemayor 6, Montuano 4, Pontejos 2, Acidre 2, Marquez 1, Acuna 0, Lina 0

Quarter Scoring: 28-16, 49-41, 63-54, 79-64

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Hapee makes it eight in a row after beating MP Hotel

Hapee Toothpaste improved to a league-best 8-0 after defeating MP Hotel, 84-63.

Bobby Ray Parks had another notable performance with 18 points – 12 coming in the first quarter – to lead his team, while San Beda standouts Ola Adeogun and Art Dela Cruz pitched in 12 points each. Former Ateneo Blue Eagle Chris Newsome had 10 points.

Parks and Adeogun cleaned up the boards as well, combining for 18 rebounds.

The loss sent MP Hotel to the bottom of the standings, where they’re nursing an 1-7 record.

Reden Celda led the losing side with 14 points and 7 dimes, while Jessie Collado registered 13 points for the Warriors, who are in the midst of six-game losing skid.

Scores:

Hapee (84) – Parks 18, Adeogun 12, Dela Cruz 12, Newsome 10, Rosario 9, Van Opstal 7, Lanete 7, Long 5, Sorela 4, Amer 0, Koga 0, Thompson 0, Mendoza 0, Hayes 0

MP Hotel (63) – Celda 14, Collado 13, Jamon 11, Escosio 10, Pacquiao 7, Yaya 6, Calo 2, Allen 0, Bulac 0, Blanco 0, Quiro 0, Rogado 0, Landicho 0, Palma 0

Quarter Scoring: 23-16, 38-28, 59-49, 84-63

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Cagayan Valley escapes Racal Motors in OT to remain unbeaten

The Cagayan Valley Rising Suns stayed within a hair of league-leading Hapee by moving to 7-0 following a 95-89 overtime win over Racal Motors on Monday.

Cagayan was spearheaded by former Adamson Falcon Don Trollano, who finished with 16 points and 8 rebounds. Top overall pick Moala Tautuaa pitched in with 11 points and 9 boards.

Racal rallied from a 21-point deficit and managed to take an 84-82 lead with a little less than a minute to go in the contest. A forced turnover and bucket by Michael Mabulac tied the match with 22.4 seconds to go, paving the way for a last-shot opportunity for Racal.

With the game on the line, Jeff Viernes missed his jumpshot, forcing an extra five-minute session. In overtime, careless mistakes by Racal led to easy turnover points for Cagayan, who took control early and didn’t relinquish their lead.

Viernes exploded for 34 points in the losing effort.

Scores:

Cagayan Valley (95) – Trollano 16, Salamat 15, Tautuaa 11, Galliguez 9, Dilay 8, Celada 7, Flores 7, Mabulac 7, Austria 6, Tayongtong 5, Mag-isa 2, Melano 2, Capacio 0

Racal Motors (89) – Viernes 34, Gabawan 11, Jamito 11, Ortuoste 9, Ibay 8, Di Gregorio 5, Mercader 3, Gil 3, Reyes 2, Saitanan 2, Ruaya 1, Ambuludto 0, Canta 0

Quarter Scoring: 27-11, 50-32, 67-61, 84-84, 95-89

– Rappler.com