HOGS BREATH Café kept its unbeaten run going by downing Cebuana Lhuillier, 93-69, on Tuesday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Razorbacks ended the third quarter with a 23-7 run to turn a closely-contested game into a rout for their fourth straight victory in as many games. Big Chill (6-0) and NLEX (3-0) are the other unbeaten teams.
Hogs Breath will next face NLEX on Thursday at the same venue.
Philip Paniamogan starred in Hogs Breath’s pullaway, scoring 10 of his 19 points in the third frame after Cebuana Lhuillier came to within a point, 48-49.
“We lacked height so all we can do is keep on running and hope that the other team will stop and mapapagod,” said Hogs Breath Café coach Caloy Garcia.
“Everybody is capable of shooting anyway so I told them na umikot lang ’yung bola para mapagod ang kalaban and it worked,” Garcia added.
Paniamogan hit four of his eight attempts from beyond the arc. Jamil Gabawan added 14 points and eight rebounds while Alexander Austria chipped in 10 points. Kevin Racal also had a notable statline with six points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
The Razorbacks never trailed in the game, taking a 25-10 first quarter edge. But their lead was seriously threatened Cebuana rallied and James Martinez hit two free throws to trim the deficit to one point, 48-49, with 5:23 in the third.
The Gems couldn’t capitalize on their third quarter run as they were limited to one field goal until the end of the period and the team wound up losing their fourth game in five outings.
Cebuana Lhuillier missed the services of Roi Sumang, who played for University of the East in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League in Batangas on Tuesday.
The scores:
Hogs Breath Café (93) – Paniamogan 19, Gabawan 14, Austria 10, Robles 8, Sanga 8, Allera 7, Ruaya 7, Terso 7, Racal 6, Belorio 5, Rios 2, Macasaet 0.
Cebuana Lhuillier (69) – Martinez 18, Zamar 14, Padilla 7, Leynes 7, Paredes 6, Banal 6, Aguilar 5, Olivares 2, Dizon 2, Noble 2, Casajeros 0, Flores 0.
Quarterscores: 25-10; 39-34; 72-55; 93-69.
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