Joshua Munzon lifts AMA Onlinepast McDavid

MANILA, Philippines — Top pick Joshua Munzon scored a rousing debut, putting in double-double numbers as he helped lift AMA Online Education to an 80-65 victory over veteran-laden McDavid at Paco Arena in Manila yesterday.

Fil-American Munzon, who suited up for Saigon Heat and the Malaysia Dragons in the ASEAN Basketball League, dropped 12 points and pulled down 10 boards while also dishing out three assists to back new addition Frankie Johnson, formerly of Marinerong Pilipino, who produced 24 points.

Fellow rookies Troy Rike and Kib Montalbo also made an impression, with the former drilling in a second best 15 points and the latter handing out a team-best five assists on top of his six-point output and three steals.

“Buti nag-jell kami nang maaga. Si Munzon kararating lang na naman niyan galing Amerika. Ngayon, at least, nagsama-sama sila kaso lang noong huli, ‘yung depensa namin, medyo nawawala na naman. Sabi ko lang sa kanila, ‘wag mag-re-relax hanggang dulo,” said Titans coach Mark Herrera.

AMA scored the first 10 points and went on to put up a 17-point advantage, 31-14, in the second quarter.

McDavid trimmed the lead to seven,  53-60, late in the third behind Marlon Monte, Rev Diputado and Jason Melano but Rike and Johnson quickly restored a double-digit lead for AMA early in the fourth at 71-53.

Melano and fellow ex-pro James Martinez combined for 25 points for McDavid which opened its campaign with a loss in the Aspirants’ Group.

Centro Escolar University came out firing after the break, crushing newcomer Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill, 93-76, to also open its campaign on a high note in the Foundation Group.

The Scorpions picked up steam late in the second quarter then switched to high gear at the turn, opening the third with 12 straight points for a 53-37 lead and pouring 17 more to break the backs of the Blue Dragons who were held to 12 points in the frame.

Senegalese Maodo Diouf debuted with a bang, tallying 15 points, 17 rebounds and three assists for the Scorpions who also drew 15 points, 11 in the third, from Tyron Chan and 13 from Rich Guinitaran.

Kevine Gandjeto led the way for the Blue Dragons with 18 points, Joseph Brutas chipped in 14, Aldrin Ligon wound up with 12 while Jeramer Cabanag had 11 to make up for the four-point struggle of Robbi Darang.

It didn’t help that Darang exited the match nearly two minutes into the fourth, with Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill trailing 54-75, after incurring his sixth foul.

The Scores:

AMA 80 – Johnson 24, Rike 15, Munzon 12, Parcero 8, Montalbo 6, Yu 6, Dela Virgen 5, Garcia 2, Bederi 2, Tambeling 0, Estibar 0, Paras 0, Asuncion 0, Liwag 0, Gonzaga 0.

MCDAVID 65 – Melano 15, Martinez 10, Escosio 8, Diputado 7, Canada 6, Sorela 4, Colina 4, Monte 3, Pena 2, Cruz 0, Villanueva 0.

Quarterscores: 21-14, 45-35, 62-53, 80-65.

Second Game

CEU 93 -- Diouf 15, Chan 15, Guinitaran 13, Lisbo 9, Uri 8, Rojas 8, Fuentes 7, Diaz 7, Ke. Caballero 6, Intic 2, Formento 2, Ko. Caballero 1, Pamaran 0.

DILIMAN-GERRY’S 76 -- Gandjeto 18, Brutas 14, Ligon 12, Cabanag 11, Mahari 7, Bauzon 4, Darang 4, Coquia 2, Enriquez 2, Salazar 2, Bonsubre 0, Melendez 0, Brill 0.

Quarterscores: 22-23, 41-37, 70-49, 93-76.