CJ Perez made sure to give import Kyle Barone a great sendoff before he parts ways with the Columbian Dyip.
The Rookie of the Year frontrunner exploded for 39 points, and the Dyip tore apart NLEX Road Warriors, 120-105, for their first-ever win in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Saturday at SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City.
Perez sparked Columbian’s 14-0 scoring spree in the second quarter, which turned a slim two-point lead to a wide 48-32 lead. That would go on to be the start of a one-sided affair, which saw the Dyip lead by as many as 32 points.
The former NCAA MVPshot 16-of-21 from the field and finished with eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 35 minutes.
“Coming from three straight losses, they played hard,” said Columbian head coach Johnedel Cardel as they have gone 1-3.
Barone, who will be replaced by Lester Prosper, also made sure that he will be leaving with a bang as he produced 31 points on 54.2-percent shooting clip on top of eight rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals.
“Dapat pala first week pa lang, sinabi natin kay Kyle na papalitan natin siya,” Cardel joked with a wide grin.
Jackson Corpuz had 18 points while Rashawn McCarthy added 12 in the victory that saw them shoot 51-of-99 from the field, including 14-of-35 from the three-point area — nine of their total threes came from the third quarter alone.
Columbian’s defense though was on point as well, as they racked up 14 of their 18 steals in the first half alone. That number of steals in a half is now an all-time league record, as per PBA stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.
Tony Mitchell had 32 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and two steals against eight turnovers to lead the Road Warriors, who have now fallen to 0-4.
Columbian will have a long break before battling the Magnolia Hotshots on June 16. NLEX, meanwhile, will face the Blackwater Elite next Saturday, June 8, for their first win. Both games will be at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Scores:
Columbian 120 – Perez 39, Barone 31, Corpuz 18, McCarthy 12, Camson 7, Calvo 6, Celda 5, Cahilig 2, Faundo 0, Reyes 0, Cabrera 0, Khobuntin 0, Tabi 0.
NLEX 105 – Mitchell 32, Paniamogan 18, Tiongson 12, Soyud 12, Monfort 9, Baguio 8, Rios 4, Erram 4, Ighalo 3, Galanza 3, Paredes 0, Taulava 0, Magat 0, Lao 0.
Quarterscores: 24-22, 53-39, 93-67, 120-105.
