ERVIC Vijandre scored 20 points to lift Wangs Basketball-Athletes In Action to a stunning 86-72 victory over Cebuana Lhuillier on Tuesday for its first win in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Vijandre had 11 points in the third quarter that saw the Couriers pull away to capture their first-ever win after starting the conference 0-2.
“Talagang dedicated siya,” said Wangs coach Pablo Lucas. “From start to the last quarter, hindi siya bumibitaw. Nag-contribute talaga siya.”
Vijandre, who dabbles in acting and was even drafted by Rain or Shine in the recent PBA Rookie Draft, hit two triples including one at the four-minute mark that gave Wangs a 58-39 lead.
Macky Acosta finished with 16 points and Michael Juico added 15 markers for the Couriers. Karlo Gomez had 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Mapua cager Jessie Saitanan finished with 10 points.
Cebuana Lhuillier dropped to 1-2 as the Gems were atrocious from the three-point line, hitting only two of their 30 attempts.
Paul Zamar had 13 points but shot 2-of-17 from the field. Ralf Olivares had 11 points, while James Martinez chipped in 10 points on a 3-of-13 clip.
The scores:
Wangs Basketball-Athletes In Action (86) – Vijandre 20, Acosta 16, Juico 15, Gomez 10, Saitanan 10, Ilad 4, Banal 4, Castro 4, Galliguez 3, Namocatcat 0, Alvarado 0, Sanchez 0.
Cebuana Lhuillier (72) – Zamar 13, Olivares 11, Martinez 10, Dizon 8, Aguilar 7, Paredes 6, Banal 6, Sumang 5, Javier 4, Casajeros 2, Noble 0, Leynes 0.
Quarterscores: 23-20; 36-32; 64-48; 86-72.
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