PBA-DL: UAAP alums Mangahas, Dizon lift Cebuana Lhuillier past Boracay Rum

Former DLSU Green Archer James Mangahas started the rally for the Cebuana Lhullier Gems and former UST Growling Tiger June Dizon finished it, to give their team an 86-76 win over the Boracay Rum Waves, Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena. The Gems trumped the loss of six rotation players from last season's roster. Vic Manuel, Yousef Taha, and Simon Atkins all graduated to the pros, while Marvin Hayes, Kevin Alas, and Terrence Romeo chose to sign with other D-League teams. “We’re still in the process of getting better,” admitted Gems head coach Beaujing Acot. “We didn’t get the big names but we’re glad we got role players who want to be big names.” Acot added that their team misses those players but he is still happy with how things turned out. “Happy naman ako sa players ko kasi kahit anong extra work ang ipagawa ko sa kanila, wala naman akong naririnig na complaints,” the coach said. Mangahas converted three three-point shots in the first quarter to dictate the tempo for the Gems, but CSB Blazer Paolo Taha kept his Waves in the game by dropping eight markers, as Cebuana Lhuillier wound up holding a 22-19 lead after 10 minutes. Taha and Toto Bandaying then kept the pressure up, as they did the majority of the damage for the Waves come the second quarter. Their combined effort allowed Boracay Rum to pull ahead, going up 40-37 at the break. Out of the intermission, Cebuana Lhuillier exploded for 26 points, while limiting Boracay Rum to only 15, in the turning point of the game. By the dawn of the final period, the Gems built a 63-55 bubble that they wouldn't relinquish for the rest of the game. “I was very happy with our defense in the second half,” said Acot. “We had a lot of miscues in the first half. We could not even defend their pick and roll properly but we were able to adjust.” The Waves tried to mount a comeback late in the fourth quarter but the inside incursions of Dizon kept them at bay. The coach also said that the key to this team is patience. “Maraming mental lapses yung team but I kept encouraging them,” he said. Mangahas and Dizon each had 18 points, and combined for 12 rebounds. Eric Suguitan produced a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds, while Raymond Aguilar also had 10 markers. Cebuana’s team play trumped the game-long brilliance of Boracay Rum’s Paolo Taha and Toto Bandayinhg who scored 25 and 20 points, respectively. The problem for the Waves was that no other player scored in double digits outside the two. - AMD, GMA News The scores: Cebuana Lhuillier 86: Mangahas 18, Dizon 18, Aguilar 10, Suguitan 10, Zamar 8, Custodio 7, Sarangay 6, Leynes 4, Mabayo 3, Buensuceso 2, Trinidad 0, Bagares 0 Boracay Rum 76: Taha 25, Bandayign 20, Viernes 7, Ilagan 7, Eguilos 6, Siruma 5, Sabellina 4, Foronda 2, Tolentino 0, Acibar 0 Quarter scores: 22-19, 37-40, 63-55, 86-76