D-League: Boracay survives scare from Cagayan

Boracay Rum was given a scare by the winless Cagayan Rising Suns but the Waves survived an end-game collapse to claim a 67-65 win Tuesday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Trinity University of Asia gym.

The Waves had a 15-point lead in the third period but had to survive a late charge by the Rising Suns before snatching their second consecutive victory for a 2-3 win-loss record.

“Sana tuluy-tuloy na kasi kung tutuusin ‘yung tatlong talo namin, panalo na dapat kami pero natalo pa. ‘Yun talaga ang problema namin,” said Boracay Rum assistant coach Estong Ballesteros.

Ken Acibar had 16 points to lead all scorers for Boracay Rum, which also drew 10 points from Joseph Abaya and Toto Bandaying.

Abaya’s three-point conversion made it a 53-38 game midway in the third. But newly-acquired Rising Sun Jopher Custodio ignited his team with his three-pointers to stay in contention in the game. A Roger Malig-on inside basket with 4:07 in the game closed the gap to a point for Cagayan, 64-63

Boracay Rum had lackluster possessions even as Acibar’s single free throw and a Kokoy Hermosisma jumper increased the lead to four points. They could not handle the ball too as Erwin Cornejo’s inbound pass was intercepted by Je Agas leading to a James Castro lay-up, 67-65.

The Waves turned the ball over again when Castro made another steal with eight seconds on the clock. Cagayan failed to extend the game into overtime though when Malig-on missed from point plank range.

“Nawala composure ng mga players, nawala kami sa sistema namin. Hindi pa masyadong nag-mamature ‘yung mga players,” said Ballesteros, who took over for head coach Lawrence Chongson, who suddenly fell ill after the third quarter probably due to the heat inside the gym.

Custodio had an auspicious debut after being acquired from Big Chill scoring 25 points including five triples but he could not led the Rising Stars to their first win as they fall to 0-5.

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