THE CAGAYAN Valley Rising Suns, undermanned and all, got clutch performances from Don Trollano and Adrian Celada to power them to a season-opening 83-74 win over Café France in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup, yesterday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Trollano, a reserve with the Adamson Soaring Falcons, stepped up to score 17 of his 22 points in the second half to buoy the Suns, who were missing the services of several key players including Mark Cruz, John Pinto, Prince Caperal, and Kenneth Ighalo, who are still in the thick of the NCAA wars.
Trollano completed his double-double performance with 11 rebounds.
Celada on the other hand, had 20 points spiked by three three-pointers while Mark Bringas and Clarence Foronda had 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Trollano hit two free-throws that shattered a 68-all deadlock while former University of the Visayas stalwart Rene Saycon added crucial points in a 7-0 run that helped put Cagayan ahead, 78-71, with 1:16 left.
Christopher Exciminiano and Cebuano Eliud Poligrates, paced the Bakers with 16 and 14 points, respectively. Curiously, both players suited up for the Suns in the previous Foundation Cup.
BOX SCORES
Cagayan Valley (83) – Trollano 22, Celada 20, Bringas 11, Foronda 10, Canta 6, Mercader 5, Melano 5, Saycon 4, Jamito 0, Dela Cruz 0.
Café France (74) – Exciminiano 16, Poligrates 14, Nimes 14, Ebondo 8, Mutombo 6, Knuttel 6, Parala 5, Abundo 4, De Leon 1, Sedurifa 0, Opiso 0, Batino 0, Sarangay 0. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio