PBA D-League: NLEX continues to steamroll, Pacific Pipes notches first win

NLEX and RnW Pacific Pipes won their assignments in contrasting styles at the resumption of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup last Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan.   The Road Warriors cruised to an 86-53 victory over Junior Powerade to take the early lead in the team standings while the Steelmasters squeezed past Boracay Rum, 69-67, for their first win after two straight defeats.   Cliff Hodge contributed 20 points to lead NLEX in scoring for the second consecutive game, Chris Ellis added 12 markers, while Emman Monfort and the returning Calvin Abueva each chipped in 10 markers for the Road Warriors.   In the first game, Raymond Ilagan knocked in a jumper with 1.7 seconds left in the game as RnW Pacific Pipes escaped with the win.   NLEX only led 23-18 in the first period but a telling 15-0 run in the second quarter pulled them away from Junior Powerade.   “We’re a bit complacent in the first quarter. But we stepped up on defense in the second and that’s basically the story of the game,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.   Abueva and Ian Sangalang returned to action for NLEX after competing in an invitational tournament in the province for their collegiate squad, the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags, logging a combined 16 points in their first game back.   NLEX led by as much as 86-48 in the fourth quarter, on a basket by Dave Marcelo.   The curtain-raiser saw Boracay Rum tie the game up on Maclean Sabellina’s lay-up from a pass issued by Kokoy Hermosisima. On the next possession though, Sabellina turned into the goat, giving Ilagan enough space to knock in the game-winner.   It was the first win of new RnW coach Pido Jarencio.   “We’re still a work in progress and the players are still in the getting-to-know-you stage. But were improving,” said Jarencio after the game.   JM Buensuceso had 18 points, but it was his hustle plays that had the most impact, as he managed five swipes for the Steelmasters. - AMD, GMA News     The scores:   First game:   Pacific Pipes 69 – Buensuceso Jr. 17, Ilagan 14, Teng 9, Sanvictores 7, Acidre 6, Gonzales 5, Elinon 4, Mariano 3, Antonio 2, Colina 2, Pe 0, Bustos 0   Boracay Rum 67 – Bandaying 11, Siruma 10, Foronda 9, Cornejo 9, Sabellina 8, Hermosisima II 11, Terso 6, Acibar 4, Eguilos 2, Rosopa 2, Morial 0   Second game:   NLEX 86 – Hodge 20, Ellis 12, Abueva 10, Monfort 10, Belencion 8, Marcelo 8, Sangalang 6, Lanete 5, Hermida 4, Arao 3, Saguitan 0, Co 0, Long 0, Dehesa 0   Jr. Powerade 53 – Padilla 16, Silungan 13, Gamboa 7, Hipolito 6, Gingerich 4, Cubo 2,  Reyes 2, Escueta 2, Lopez 1, Wong 0