Builders Warehouse-UST smothered Technological Institute of the Philippines, 115-62, in the 2020 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Deo Cuajao poured 24 points including 7-of-24 shooting from deep to help the Growling Tigers get of to a strong start, before Jun Asuncion put the game away. Asuncion went 5-of-9 from threes and finished with 20 points.
“What’s important is they’re confident in everything that they do. The shots they’re taking, pina-practice naman nila. I always give them the green light as long as they’re available,” said coach Aldin Ayo of the two.
With Cuajao and Asuncion hitting their marks almost flawlessly, Builders Warehouse-UST’s went 23-of-46 from threes, good for a 50-percent clip.
Rhenz Abando chipped in 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists, while Mark Nonoy tallied 11 points, six boards, and five assists in the 53-point win.
Beninese forward Soulemane Chabi Yo tallied 11 points, eight rebounds, and four assists for the Growling Tigers, who jumpoerd to an early 20-5 lead.
“I always tell my players na knowing the system is not enough. Hindi pwedeng alam lang nila yung sistema. Kailangan gumagaling din sila sa sistema,” said Ayo.
Senegalese big man Papa Ndiaye scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to show the way for TIP. Bryan Santos added 13 points and seven boards.
In the first game, Apex Fuel Mindanao-SSCR hardly broke a sweat as it eviscerated AMA Online Senior High by 46 points, 113-67.
RK Ilagan guided the young Golden Stags in the victory as he started things off and scored 18 of his 22 points in the first half.
He also shot 3-of-8 from deep, as well as collecting eight assists, five rebounds, two steals, and one block as he guided APEX Fuel Mindanao-SSCR to the victory in its conference opener.
“Sa totoo lang, mga bata yung players ko so we’re still building our character. The key is how RK plays, doon susunod yung mga bata,” said coach Egay Macaraya.
Ilagan was responsible in the Golden Stags’ early assault, using a 22-4 blast to turn the game from an 8-4 deficit to a 26-12 lead.
The Tondo-born guard commandeered his wards as they used the extended garbage time to expose their new recruits and finished with a 49-percent field goal shooting.
Ichie Altamirano helped Ilagan in the win as he poured all of his 16 points in the second half, as well as grabbing six boards, four assists, and four steals.
Alex Desoyo shared 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while rookie Ralph Gabat chimed in 10 points and four assists.
Luke Parcero starred for AMA Online Senior High with his 24 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Reed Baclig, the Kings’ top pick in the recent PBA D-League Draft, wound up with three points, three rebounds, and two steals, but set the floor with his nine assists in the defeat.
