ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal — Columbian played a shocking spoiler to NLEX’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup debut with a 123-103 rout in the mid-season conference’s first Saturday night offering at the Ynares Center here.
Behind a career-game from Reden Celda and an explosion from import CJ Aiken, the Dyip pulled away from the Road Warriors in the final three periods as they now boast a 2-1 record.
Aiken made 11-of-13 field goals, including a perfect 3-for-3 from downtown for 28 points with 10 rebounds, one assist, and four blocks.
Celda added 26 points on 12-of-18 shooting with four rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
Jerramy King fired 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting with three rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Rashawn McCarthy came close to a triple-double with 13 markers, 12 dimes, and nine boards with two swipes.
Adrian Forbes put up impressive numbers in his PBA debut, tallying 26 points, 17 rebounds, one assist, and five blocks, but he lacked the needed support as NLEX fell at the wrong end of Columbian’s second biggest rout in its young franchise history.
Box Scores:
Columbian 123: Aiken 28, Celda 26, King 23, McCarthy 13, Camson 13, Corpuz 6, Escoto 5, Khobuntin 4, Sara 3, Tubid 2, Lastimosa 0, Cabrera 0
NLEX 103: Forbes 26, Quinahan 20, Fonacier 12, Baguio 11, Tiongson 10, Ravena 9, Soyud 8, Taulava 5, Miranda 2, Buenafe 0, Rios 0, Monfort 0, Ighalo 0
Quarterscores: 33-31, 62-50, 95-80, 123-103