WITH guard Enzo Joson showing the way, Sta. Rosa Laguna dumped Nueva Ecija, 102-86 on Thursday to stay unbeaten in two starts in the Pilipinas Super League Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup at the AYSN Sports Center in San Juan.
Joson notched a game-high 18 points, on top of five assists and three rebounds for the Lions, while Don Reverente chipped in 17 points, seven boards, and four assists Val Acuña also had 14 markers, while Jun Bonsubre and Marvin Lee added 13 each for Sta. Rosa Laguna, which came off a 100-62 shellacking of Cagayan de Oro-PSP last week and rose to 2-0.
The Slashers could not sustain the fiery form they showed in a 79-62 thumping of Koponang Lakan ng Bulacan last Monday and fell to 1-2 in the tilt presented by Dumper party-list, Winzer, and Converge and supported by Wcube Solutions Inc., MDC, Unisol, Don Benitos, and Finn Cotton, with PBA and Gilas Pilipinas great Marc Pingris serving as Commissioner.
In the other game, veteran sniper Paul Sanga waxed hot from deep as Batang Kankaloo-Caloocan rolled to its second straight win with a 111-96 whipping of Boracay.
Sanga torched the Islanders with seven three-pointers and totaled 23 points and four caroms for the Koolers, while Reil Cervantes and Jygruz Laude did their part with 18 markers apiece.
Achie Iñigo and Jomar Santos also combined for 27 points for Batang Kankaloo-Caloocan, which scored a fitting follow-up to a 78-74 decision over Bicol last Monday and improved to 2-1.
The star-studded Boracay quintet absorbed its second defeat in a row, counting an 85-88 setback to defending champion Davao Occidental last week.
Going down the drain was Slasher Edzel Mag-Isa’s 16-point, seven-rebound effort, while Jerome Juanico added 15 markers.
Daniel De Guzman and Kris Torado also got 13 and 11 points, respectively for Nueva Ecija.
Former PBA standouts KG Canaleta and Mac Cardona carried the fight for the Islanders with 19 and 18 points, respectively.
Johnsherick Estrada also contributed 14 and eight, while Jaymar Guimpayan had 13 markers for Boracay.
The PSL heads to the Bren Z Guiao Convention Center on Saturday for a three-game slate. Cagayan de Oro PSP faces the ARS Warriors at 4:00 p.m. followed by Bicol taking on Davao Occidental-Cocolife at 6:00 p.m. Serving as nightcap will be the clash between Boracay and Manila at 8:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, Mac Cardona has been meted a one game suspension and a P10,000 fine for multiple “unsportsmanlike conducts” he did during their game against Caloocan last Thursday.
The decision was made by league commissioner Marc Pingris, head of basketball operations Leo Isaac, and technical head Rey Canete.
With 4:35 remaining in the fourth quarter, Cardona, who was on the bench, threw a chair on the court and flipped officials when he was ejected. Prior to the incident, Cardona’s teammate Johnsherick Estrada was called for a travelling violation.
“Upon further review and investigation, our Technical Committee has decided to penalize Mac Cardona for damage to Property, blatant disrespectful actions that are detrimental to the League. and conduct unbecoming of a professional athlete,” the memo read.
Cardona will serve his suspension on Saturday when Boracay meets Manila at the Bren Z Guiao Convention Center.
Pingris will also summon Boracay head coach Jinino Manansala and team manager Jojo Cunanan prior to the game.