WITH guard Enzo Joson showing the way, Sta. Rosa Laguna dumped Nueva Ecija, 102-86 on Thursday to stay unbeaten in two starts in the Pilipinas Super League Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup at the AYSN Sports Center in San Juan.
Joson notched a game-high 18 points, on top of five assists and three rebounds for the Lions, while Don Reverente chipped in 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Val Acuña also had 14 points, while Jun Bonsubre and Marvin Lee added 13 points each for Sta. Rosa Laguna, which came off a 100-62 shellacking of Cagayan de Oro-PSP last week and rose to 2-0.
The Slashers could not sustain the fiery form they showed in a 79-62 thumping of Koponang Lakan ng Bulacan last Monday and fell to 1-2 won-lost.
In the other game, veteran sniper Paul Sanga waxed hot from deep as Batang Kankaloo-Caloocan rolled to its second straight win with a 111-96 whipping of Boracay.
Sanga torched the Islanders with seven three-pointers and totaled 23 points and four caroms for the Koolers, while Reil Cervantes and Jygruz Laude did their part with 18 points apiece.
Achie Iñigo and Jomar Santos also combined for 27 points for Batang Kankaloo-Caloocan, which scored a fitting follow-up to a 78-74 decision over Bicol last Monday and improved to 2-1.
The star-studded Boracay quintet absorbed its second defeat in a row, counting an 85-88 setback to defending champion Davao Occidental last week.
Going down the drain was Slasher Edzel Mag-Isa’s 16-point, seven-rebound effort, while Jerome Juanico added 15 points.
Daniel De Guzman and Kris Torado also got 13 and 11 points, respectively for Nueva Ecija.
Former Philippine Basketball Association standouts KG Canaleta and Mac Cardona carried the fight for the Islanders with 19 and 18 points, respectively.
Johnsherick Estrada also contributed 14 and eight points, while Jaymar Guimpayan had 13 points for Boracay.