New import Hinson tows Derby Ace to huge win

DARNEL HINSON struggled from the field in his debut game but did just enough to lead the B-Meg Llamados to a morale-boosting 111-105 win over the erstwhile unbeaten Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters on Thursday night in an out-of-the-country game of the 36th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Al Shabab Sports Club in Dubai, UAE.

Hinson, B-Meg’s second import this conference, scored 25 points but was just nine-for-25 from the field.

Despite his awful shooting, Hinson still delivered when his team needed him most, firing successive triples in a 21-1 blast that sealed the deal for the Llamados, who trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half.

“We played bad, particularly in the first quarter, partly because we couldn’t run our play and the guys sort of lost their poise,” Derby Ace coach Jorge Gallent told pba.ph. “But the good thing is we picked our game when we had to.”

Gallent said Hinso is still trying to adjust with the team. “He played well. I’m sure Darnell will still get better once he has settled down with the team. He’s exactly the right fit for us,” Gallent said as the Llamados pocketed their second straight win to improve to 3-2 (win-loss).

Jason Castro piled up 24 points, Ranidel de Ocampo, Harvey Carey and import Maurice Baker submitted 20 markers each for the Texters, who picked up their first loss in four games.  EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA