THE HAPEE Fresh Fighters debuted in victorious fashion as they beat the AMA University Titans, 69-61, in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup yesterday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Touted to be the league’s next superteam in the mold of former D-League powerhouse NLEX, the Fresh Fighters lived up to their reputation as they zoomed off to a 20-point lead before withstanding a Titans fightback near the end.
Troy Rosario led the way with 12 points while former two-time UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks had 11. Gilas Cadet member Garvo Lanete had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
In other games, the Jumbo Plastic Giants got their second win in a row, thanks to some clutch shooting from Dexter Maiquez, who sank two triples down the stretch to give his team a 63-61 win over the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems.
The Giants were clinging to a 58-56 lead before Maiquez rose and swished in a three-pointer with less than a minute remaining to seal the victory.
Finally, AJ Mandani scored the game-winning basket with 3.4 seconds left to lift Tanduay Light to a thrilling 78-77 win over the MJM M-Builders. University of the East standout Roi Sumang led Tanduay with 16 points.