MARINERONG Pilipino-San Beda University showed its sheer might and handed CCI-Yengskivel an embarrassing defeat yesterday.
The Red Lions barely broke a sweat, beating the Crusaders to a pulp 126-76, and gained a share of the lead in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda promptly turned the duel into a mismatch with a vicious 32-3 start and never looked back for a 3-0 slate, tied with defending champion EcoOil-La Salle midway through the six-team tourney.
CCI-Yengskivel slid to 1-2.
All 15 players scored at least two points for the Lions led by new addition Bryan Sajonia, who sizzled with 31 points, on top of eight rebounds and an assist in only 16 minutes.
The former FEU sniper shot 8-of-10 from beyond the arc, including five in the first quarter alone as the reigning NCAA champion bullied its way to a commanding 50-point victory.
Inigo Torres added 16 markers off the bench for Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda, while reigning NCAA finals MVP James Payosing John Lopez had 14 and 10 points, respectively.
No Red Lion played for more than 18 minutes in yet another easy win after also dismantling Go Torakku-St. Clare 92-59 and Keanzel Basketball 109-59.
The Lions pounded the Bulacan-based squad in every department, highlighted by massive gaps in rebounds 75-46, assists, 34-16, and bench points 72-39.
The troops of coach Yuri Escueta also shot a 49-percent clip compared to CCI’s 29-percent mark laced by 23 turnovers.
Victor Nuarin and Angelo Jawili scored 13 points each for the Crusaders, who could not sustain their 80-73 breakthrough win against Keanzel Basketball.
