NCAA Rookie of the Year Juneric Baloria made quite a debut as he scored 22 points to lead the Big Chill Superchargers to a 90-83 win over the defending champions Blackwater Sports in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup yesterday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
The Perpetual Help guard was especially lethal during the second period where he made 13 points to help give his team a 49-38 lead at halftime. Janus Lozada then powered the Superchargers in the second half where he pumped in all 15 of his points to repel the Elite.
Allan Mangahas and Jericho Cruz tried to rally Blackwater as they came within two. But Baloria, Lozada and former pro Reil Cervantes scored crucial points in the final canto to hack out the hard-earned win.
BOX SCORES:
Big Chill (90) – Baloria 22, Lozada 15, Cervantes 14, Mirza 11, Maiquez 7, Villahermosa 6, Brondial 4, Apinan 4, Heruela 3, Canlas 2, Miranda 2, Santos 0.
Blackwater Sports (83) – Ferrer 17, A. Mangahas 17, Cruz 15, Ciriacruz 13, Llagas 6, Bagatsing 5, Pe 3, Vigil 2, J. Mangahas 2, Austria 2, Avillanoza 1, Manguera 0, Suguitan 0.Quarterscores: 21-23; 49-38; 69-67; 90-83.