JUMBO Plastic Linoleum used its experience to pound National University-Banco de Oro, 76-56, on Tuesday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Arellano University Gym.
Jopher Custodio had 15 of his 25 points in the second half to power the Giants to the victory over a debuting Bulldogs squad that played without top player Bobby Ray Parks.
The Giants, who also got 15 points each from comebacking ex-pro Jason Ballesteros and Jan Colina, won despite a mid-game wobble that saw them score just four points in the second period.
“Dahil meron kaming mga veteran players, nadadala na ‘yung mga young guns,” said Jumbo Plastic Linoleum coach Stevenson Tiu, whose team only has two players aged 23 or lower.
“Pero hindi kami puwedeng makuntento sa game na ito. We still have a lot of adjustments to do,” Tiu said.
The Bulldogs played without Parks, the two-time UAAP MVP who according to team officials is recovering from an injury suffered during their recent stint in a Guam tournament.
NU-BDO also missed the services of Cameroonian center Emmanuel Mbe.
The Giants opened an early 27-13 lead but allowed the Bulldogs to come back to trail by only six points, 25-31, at the half.
After Ballesteros scored a putback to put Jumbo Plastic in front 46-32, NU-BDO went on a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to four points. But the Giants opened with a 16-3 run at the start of the fourth.
Robin Rono pumped in 18 points for the Bulldogs.
The scores:
Jumbo Plastic Linoleum (76) – Custodio 25, Ballesteros 15, Colina 15, Magat 10, Dehesa 6, Romero 3, Melegrito 2, Petilos 0, Chiu 0, Antipuesto 0, Tan 0.
NU-BDO (56) – Rono 18, Alolino 14, Rosario 8, Perez 5, Javelona 4, Neypes 2, Javillonar 2, Khobuntin 2, De Guzman 1, Villamor 0.
Quarterscores: 27-13; 31-25; 53-44; 76-56.
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