CAGAYAN Valley shot exceptionally well in the first quarter and the Rising Suns routed the Hapee Fresh Fighters, 104-89, on Monday in the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League Foundation Cup at the San Juan Arena.
Abel Galliguez led the breakaway by going three-of-four from three-point range, as the Rising Suns scored a record 40 points in the first quarter for a 21-point advantage and practically put away the Fresh Fighters in a rematch of last conference’s Aspirants Cup Finals.
Cebuana Lhuillier was equally impressive in its 81-66 victory over Jumbo Plastic in the second game to stay unbeaten in five games.
The Gems took the lead for good with 16-6 to close the second quarter. Simon Enciso broke a 28-all tie with a lay-up then hit two three-point shots to cap that telling spurt.
Mo Tautuaa had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Gems to their best start since joining the league in 2011.
Tristan Perez tallied 15 points for the Giants, who picked up their second-straight defeat and fell to 2-3.
In a display of impeccable shooting, the Rising Suns made 15-of-19 attempts (79 percent) in the first 10 minutes, including six-of-eight from beyond the arc to seize control early and made the Fresh Fighters look like also-ran. Hapee shot a woeful five-of-14 (36 percent) during that stretch.
Galliguez finished with 17 points, including four-of-eight shooting from behind the arc. As a team, Cagayan Valley went 11-for-25 from three-point range.
“We shot well and that made a big difference in this game. I thought the players have matured a lot since losing to Hapee in the Finals. If we can play this way every game, we’ll be tough to beat,” Cagayan Valley team consultant Arturo Valenzona said.
Valenzona said the players were also inspired following an announcement from Cagayan Valley Gov. Alvaro Antonio before the game. Valenzona refused to reveal what it was.
Eric Salamat scored 20 points to lead five other Rising Suns in double figures. Jason Melano had 13, Marion Magat chipped in 12 while Michael Mabulac and Moncrief Rogado added 10 apiece for Cagayan Valley, which improved to 3-2 (win-loss) record.
Mabulac also had 10 rebounds to finish with a double-double.
Already reeling with the loss of Arnold Van Opstal (national team) and Garvo Lanete (knee injury), the Fresh Fighters were further depleted when center Troy Rosario was ejected with 4:24 left in the first quarter for hitting Galliguez in the head with a close fist.
Bobby Ray Parks led all scorers with 33 points but didn’t uster enough support from his teammates as Hapee picked up its second straight defeat and third overall in five games.