HOGS Breath is off to a winning start in the Aspirants Cup, downing Arellano-Air 21, 80-69, in the PBA D-League on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Down by two at the half, 34-36, the Razorbacks took control in the third as former Far Eastern University wingman Paul Sanga, Philip Paniamogan, Julius Pasculado, Jansen Rios and Francis Allera combined in a 30-point explosion while limiting the Chiefs to just nine points for a 64-45 advantage.
Rocky Acidre scored 13 points in the final period as the Chiefs outscored the Razorbacks, 24-16, but that was not enough to regain the lead and win the game.
Hogs Breath, which won only one game in the Foundation Cup, opened its bid for a title on a strong start despite missing the services of Letran players Kevin Racal and Jonathan Belorio.
"The players just wanted to prove themselves," said Hogs Breath coach Caloy Garcia. "Wala pa kaming big man kasi nasa Letran pa (para sa NCAA) sina Racal."
Allera, who was part of University of Santo Tomas UAAP champion team in 2006, finished with 25 points, while Paniamogan added 21, Sanga had 11 and Pasculado chipped in 10 for Hogs Breath.
Acidre scored 21, while Levi Hernandez added 12 for Arellano (0-1).
The scores:
Hogs Breath 80 - Allera 25, Paniamogan 21, Sanga 11, Pasculado 10, Rios 6, Bonifacio 3, Austria 2, Terso 2, Robles 0, Rabalo 0, Macasaet 0, Bartolo 0.
Arellano-Air 21 69 -0 Acidre 21, Hernandez 12, Tayongtong 8, Bartlo 8, Bangga 8, Ciriacruz 8, Agovida 4, Cortes 3, Lapuz 2, Palma 0, Jalalon 0.
Quarterscores: 15-19; 34-34; 64-45; 80-69.
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