Black Mamba crawled from an 18-point hole in the fourth quarter and stunned Alberei, 86-82, Monday in the 2019 PBA D-League Second Conference at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Dahrell Caranguian unloaded nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter as he spurred the Energy Drink’s crippling 21-0 run that turned an 18-point deficit, 79-61, with 8:24 remaining in the fourth quarter to an 82-79 lead with 2:32 to play.
“I told them we just have to play tough defense,” said coach Vis Valencia of the turnaround. “We’re trying to do full court press. We’re already down so kahit ano na, and yun ang nag-work.”
Caranguian, the fearless guard out of De Ocampo Memorial College, also grabbed seven rebounds and two assists in the breakthrough win for the debuting Black Mamba.
“Yung familiarity ni Dahrell with the system, I was glad that he responded with it,” said Valencia.
Clark Derige added a double-double with his 14 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals, while John Tayongtong got 10 points, six coming in the payoff period, to go with three boards, an assist, and a block.
Bobby Balucanag also did his share with eight points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and two rejections.
“Sabi ko lang, I want our first game to be a statement. We’re a rookie team so I just want us to have a good start,” Valencia added.
Alberei squandered a golden chance for its first win in the developmental ranks as it dropped to 0-2 in Group B.
Reil Cervantes triggered the Kings’ 16-3 third quarter breakaway that turned a slim 55-54 advantage to a 71-57 lead, but fired blanks when the Kings needed him the most in the clutch.
The ex-pro out of Far Eastern University uncorked 23 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in the losing cause.
Jonathan Parreno also saw his 15-point performance on an efficient 4-of-5 clip from deep flushed down the drain in the meltdown.
The Scores:
Black Mamba 86 — Caranguian 22, Derige 14, Tayongtong 10, Balucanag 8, Bolos 7, Vidal 5, Sison 5, Carongoy 4, Castro 4, Medina 4, Gadon 3, Barua 0, Santiago 0.
Alberei 82 — Cervantes 23, Parreno 15, Velasquez 13, Manzo 11, Abad 6, Tano 4, Yasa 3, Ollano 3, Tomilloso 2, Diaz 2, Saldana 0, Rebollos 0, Palattao 0.
Quarterscores: 26-23, 51-55, 59-73, 86-82.
