Blue Dragons mangle White Stallions

MANILA, Philippines — Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill bounced back strong from a sour debut, walloping fellow newcomer The Masterpiece Clothing-Trinity University of Asia, 88-51, in the PBA D-League yesterday.

The Blue Dragons were all business from the get-go, racing to a 24-point lead, 45-21, in the second quarter which it never relinquished to secure the lopsided breakthrough win in the Foundation Group.

Diliman College-Gerry’s Grill posted the 37-point romp in a turnaround of its 76-93 opening game loss to Centro Escolar University last Feb. 19.

“For the past one week and a half, we just concentrated on our execution of our defense and offense because in our first game against CEU, we played defense only for two quarters. I just pointed out to them our discipline through execution,” said Blue Dragons coach Rensy Bajar.

Kevine Gandjeto dropped 21 points, 17 in the first half, to set the tone for the rout. He also had 11 boards, two assists and a steal.

Joseph Brutas and Paolo Balagtas took over in the third to help the Blue Dragons stay in control, combining for 16 points in the frame to finish with 12 points apiece while Jeramer Cabanag put in 11.

Centro Escolar University pummeled Perpetual Help, 90-65, to string up back-to-back wins and gain a piece of the lead in its bracket.

The Scorpions put up a 17-point spread in the second quarter and stayed in control to put themselves in front of the Foundation Group together with Metropac-San Beda and Valencia City, Bukidnon-San Sebastian.

The Scores:

First Game

DILIMAN-GERRY’S GRILL 88 – Gandjeto 21, Brutas 12, Balagtas 12, Cabanag 11, Torrado 8, Mahari 5, Bonsubre 4, Darang 4, Coquia 3, Bauzon 2, Salazar 2, Brill 2, Melendez 0, Sombero 0.

THE MASTERPIECE-TUA 51 – Canete 15, Balucanag 9, Montero 7, Villoria 6, Biteng 3, Dela Cruz 3, Matias 3, Reyes 2, Albarico 2, Abanes 1, Mandreza 0, Ortega 0, Nidoy 0, De Guzman 0, Collado 0.

Quarterscores: 29-11, 47-25, 73-43, 88-51.