Just like in the UAAP the Maroons are now 2-0.
Dedicating their game to team consultant Joe Ward, the UP-QRS/Jam Liner Maroons played inspired basketball in blasting the Tanduay Rhum Masters with a huge fourth quarter spurt to take home their second win in the 2016 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup 102-86 Tuesday afternoon at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The game was close in the first half with QRS/Jam Liner clinging to a 37-34 lead at halftime. After a dismal first game, Kevin Ferrer paced the Maroons in the first half with 13 points on 4/5 shooting from the field, three coming from downtown. On the other hand, Ryan Whetherell continued his hot shooting for Tanduay with 13 points and 6/6 shooting from the foul stripe to keep up with the deep Jam Liner squad.
Both teams continued to trade baskets in the early parts of the third quarter. Fonso Gotladera knocked down jumper after jumper to keep Tanduay afloat. However, UP’s incoming junior Paul Desiderio scored nine points that helped give the Maroons a 61-53 lead by the 3:02 mark of the third canto. The Maroon-offense did not die down as Desiderio was subbed out with Michole Sorela making a mark in his debut game for the Maroons. Sorela scored nine points in the closing minutes of the quarter to sustain his team’s lead to enter the final frame.
The Maroons went on a 20-12 spurt with Raymond Aguilar, Kyle Neypes, and Ferrer knocking down threes that broke the game wide open. Juneric Baloria put the finishing touches on a great outing for his team in scoring QRS/Jam Liner’s last six points in a 102-86 victory.
“Hindi pa 100% yung pinapakita ng team,” admitted team head coach Bert dela Rosa. “Pero 80% nagble-blend na yung mga bago sa team.”
Dela Rosa then added that the team was dedicating this win to Joe Ward. Ward collapsed in his condominium’s lobby last night and had to be rushed to the hospital. He added that Ward is now conscious but is still hospitalized at the Capitol City Hospital in Quezon Avenue.
Ferrer led the Maroons for this game in scoring 19 points, grabbing four rebounds, and dishing out four dimes. “Basta naglalaro lang kami at ine-enjoy lang yung laro. Wala namang pressure kasi malakas din yung kalaban,” said Ferrer.
Paul Desiderio added 19 markers while Sorela had 12 poitns and seven boards in the win.
For Tanduay, Ryan Whetherell was their high point man once again with 19 points on 50% shooting. He also was able to grab six boards, four assists, and a steal. Incoming Mapua super senior Joseph Erioby added 13 markers.
The Scores:
QRS/Jam Liner (102) – Ferrer 19, Desiderio 16, Neypes 12, Sorela 12, Aguilar 9, Soyud 9, Batino 8, Baloria 6, Moralde 6, Alolino 3, Harris 2, Asilum 0, Dario 0, Vito 0.
Tanduay (86) – Wetherell 19, Eriobu 13, Gotladera 12, Celda 9, Javillonar 9, Belencion 8, Pessumal 5, Lingganay 4, Llagas 4, Koga 3, Cenal 0, Lo 0, Santos 0, Tagarda 0.
Quarterscores: 21-13, 37-34, 74-63, 102-86.
