BLACK Mamba battled back from an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun Alberei, 86-82, on Monday in the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Dahrell Caranguian unloaded nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to spark a 21-to-nothing run as Black Mamba turned a 79-61 deficit to an 82-79 lead with 2:32 to play.
"I told them we just have to play tough defense," said coach Vis Valencia of the turnaround. "We're trying to do full court press. We're already down so kahit ano na, and yun ang nag-work."
Caranguian, the fearless guard out of De Ocampo Memorial College, also grabbed seven rebounds and two assists in the breakthrough win for the debuting Black Mamba.
"Yung familiarity ni Dahrell with the system, I was glad that he responded with it," said Valencia.
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Clark Derige added a double-double with his 14 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals, while John Tayongtong added 10 points, six coming in the payoff period.
Bobby Balucanag also played significant minutes, finishing with eight points and 13 rebounds.
"Sabi ko lang, I want our first game to be a statement. We're a rookie team so I just want us to have a good start," Valencia added.
Alberei squandered a golden chance to bounce back and absorbed its second loss in as many games in Group B.
Reil Cervantes led the Kings' 16-3 third quarter breakaway that stretched a 55-54 advantage to 71-57, but went silent when the Kings needed him the most in the clutch.
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The ex-pro out of Far Eastern University uncorked 23 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in the loss.
Jonathan Parreno also saw his 15-point performance on an efficient 4-of-5 clip from deep flushed down the drain in the meltdown.
The Scores:
BLACK MAMBA 86 -- Caranguian 22, Derige 14, Tayongtong 10, Balucanag 8, Bolos 7, Vidal 5, Sison 5, Carongoy 4, Castro 4, Medina 4, Gadon 3, Barua 0, Santiago 0.
ALBEREI 82 -- Cervantes 23, Parreno 15, Velasquez 13, Manzo 11, Abad 6, Tano 4, Yasa 3, Ollano 3, Tomilloso 2, Diaz 2, Saldana 0, Rebollos 0, Palattao 0.
Quarters: 26-23, 51-55, 59-73, 86-82.
