With hardworking forward Dexter Maiquez showing the way, San Juan dumped Bagong Cabuyao Homelab Nation 95-80 late Thursday night to serve strong notice of its title bid in the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup at the San Andres Gym in Manila.
Maiquez pumped in 27 points, grabbed six rebounds, and issued an assist for the Kings, while his teammates also did their share in the team’s rousing opening game win.
Ron Dennison chipped in 19 markers and three boards, while Orlan Wamar and Michael Calisaan had 14 and 11, respectively for San Juan.
Cabuyao came off a thrilling 72-71 squeaker over Nueva Ecija last Monday and fell to 1-1 in the tilt presented by Winzir, co-presented by SCD Cosmetics and Dumper party-list, and supported by NET 25, Adcon, Wcube Solutions Inc., MDC, Unisol, Don Benitos, and Finn Cotton.
In the other game, Sta. Rosa Laguna whipped home team Manila 82-66 to get back on track.
Dhon Reverente tallied 14 points, to go with eight caroms and two dimes for the Lions.
Nat Cosejo, Marvin Lee, and Dan Sara had nine markers each as Sta. Rosa rebounded from a sorry 65-67 loss to Koponang Lakan ng Bulacan last Dec. 8 and raised its card to 3-1.
The Citystars failed in their drive to score a big follow-up to a 95-90 triumph over Bicol last Friday and dropped to 2-3.
Michael Cenita paced Cabuyao with 18 points and five rebounds, while Joel Jolangcob added 13 markers.
The setback put to naught Levi Hernandez’s 14-point, four-rebound effort for Manila, while Macky Acosta and Wowie Escosio had 12 and 10 markers, respectively.
Action resumes today at the Central Recreational Facility in New Era, Quezon City with Quezon City taking on Boracay in the first game at 6 in the evening.
Defending champion Davao Occidental-Cocolife faces Nueva Ecija in the nightcap at 8 p.m.
The scores
First game
SAN JUAN 95 – Maiquez 27, Dennison 19, Wamar 14, Calisaan 11, Mojica 9, Nocum 6, Taywan 5, Ubalde 4, Tajonera 0.
BAGONG CABUYAO-HOMELAB 80 – Cenita 18, Jolangcob 13, Alvarado 9, Barnedo 7, Disquitado 6, Sese 6, Abarcar 5, Vitug 5, Palma 4, Pontejos 4, Codiñera 3, Capara 0, Ilad 0, Velasquez 0, Villapando 0.
Quarters: 24-18, 40-41, 72-66, 95-80.
Second game
STA. ROSA LAGUNA 82 – Reverente 14, Cosejo 9, Lee 9, Sara 9, Cabanag 8, Joson 8, Matias 7, Rogado 7, Yee 5, Santos 4, Koga 2, Bonsubre 0, Pastimosa 0.
MANILA 66 – Hernandez 14, Acosta 12, Escosio 10, Acibar 9, Alcoriza 9, Alban 6, Arellano 2, Celada 2, Neypes 2, Mangahas 0, Manalo 0.
Quarters: 28-15, 48-36, 63-51, 82-66.
