CEBUANA Lhuillier notched its first win in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup, beating Derulo Accelero, 88-60, on Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan.
James Martinez, Paul Zamar, and Ralf Olivares combined for eight triples in the contest as the Gems evened their record to 1-1 and kept the Oilers winless in three games.
Cebuana Lhuillier coach Boycie Zamar said the chemistry of the team featuring holdovers from last conference and new acquisitions from University of the East is still a work in progress.
“Ang realidad nung first game is ’yung mga holdovers namin, hindi naglaro ng six months tapos hindi mo rin masisisi ’yung mga UE players na naglaro sa UAAP,” said Zamar as he claimed his first coaching victory in the developmental league.
“Basketball is a game of adjustments and today, na-execute naming ’yung depensa namin although ’yung opensa namin hindi,” he added.
Martinez had 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while Paul Zamar, his former teammate at UE during their UAAP days, added 14 points and seven assists.
Olivares, meanwhile, had 13 points on 3-of-6 shooting. He had back-to-back triples in the second period that started a UE breakaway for a 41-31 halftime lead.
Raul Soyud had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Oilers.
The scores:
Cebuana Lhuillier (88) – Martinez 15, Zamar 14, Olivares 13, Banal 11, Aguilar 8, Javier 7, Dizon 6, Alas 5, Leynes 5, Casajeros 2, Flores 2, Paredes 0, Noble 0.
Derulo Accelero (60) – Soyud 15, Manuel 10, Juruena 7, Wong 6, Jeffries 6, Corpuz 4, Morillo 4, Importante 3, Bautista 3, Dilay 2, Wierzba 0.
Quarterscores: 19-18; 41-31; 62-44; 88-60.
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