i-Walk thumps Hazchem for first PBA D-League win

Games Thursday
(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)
1:30 p.m. – Black Mamba vs TIP
3:30 p.m. – AMA vs CEU
5:30 p.m. – i-Walk vs Nailtalk-Savio

MANILA, Philippines – i-Walk unveiled its full power late as it blasted Hazchem, 90-76, for its first win in the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Wowie Escosio uncorked 17 of his 22 points in the second half as he played a big part of the Chargers' pullaway in the fourth quarter, where they scored 16 unanswered points to flip a 64-62 deficit to a 78-64 lead with 3:25 remaining.

He also grabbed six rebounds as iWalk rose to 1-1 in Group A.

Jasper Parker added 12 points and six boards, JM Cruz tallied a double-double with 10 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks, and Bernie Bregondo also chipped in 10 points and nine boards for the Chargers.

More importantly, it was the first head coaching victory for Jonas Villanueva, who was all smiles after the final buzzer.

"Nakakapanibago din," he sighed. "Malaking bagay ito dahil nabunutan ako ng malaking tinik. Ako as a coach, I'm trying to develop the team while also trying to learn as a coach."

Raymark Matias powered the Green Warriors with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Kris Torrado had 11 points, six boards, and four assists.

It was the second straight defeat for Hazchem as it fell to a 1-2 slate.

The scores:

IWALK 90 – Escosio 22, Parker 12, Cruz 10, Bregondo 10, Canada 9, Mangahas 8, Belencion 8, Ac. Inigo 6, Ax. Inigo 5, Lozada 0, Taguinod 0.

HAZCHEM 76 – Matias 15, Torrado 11, Moraga 10, Caparida 9, Trinidad 9, Eman 7, Sicat 5, Serrano 3, Elmejrab 2, Arellano 2, Ynion 2, Acain 0, Daguplo 0, Mohammad 0.
Quarters: 12-18, 32-35, 53-55, 90-76.