Elite, Giants prevail, bolster quarterfinal drive
MANILA, Philippines — Blackwater Sports leaned on Jericho Cruz’s 31 points while Jumbo Plastic banked on the all-around games of Elliot Tan and Jan Colina as the two squads bolstered their quarterfinal bids in separate victories in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Tuesday at Trinity University of Asia Gym.
The Elite ran away with a 94-80 triumph over newcomer Derulo Accelero after Cruz sparked a decisive third-quarter turnaround by firing 16 points in the period.
Rebounding from a terrible beating, the Giants downed Boracay Rum in an 86-72 victory behind the huge efforts of Tan (17 points, seven rebounds, five assists) and Colina (16 points, seven rebounds, four steals and a block).
The Giants recovered from a 19-point whipping by NLEX, 70-89, last week while halting the Waves’ own three-game winning streak.
“We’re really looking at the third or fourth spot for us to have a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals,” said coach Steven Tiu as his Giants improved to 9-3 before playing their final elimination assignment Thursday.
The Waves, who fell to 5-6, shot a paltry 33 percent from the field as the Giants pulled away by 16 points, 45-29, following a 13-3 surge at the start of the second half.
The scores:
First Game
JUMBO PLASTIC 86— Tan 17, Colina 16, Dehesa 14, Arboleda 12, Petilos 9, Romero 8, Magat 6, Ballesteros 2, Alano 2.
BORACAY RUM 72— Banchero 16, Siruma 12, Viernes 9, Cabrera 9, Belo 7, Tagarda 6, Ilagan 3, Arellano 1, Bautista 0, Sabellina 0.
Quarters: 13-11, 32-26, 59-44, 86-72
Second Game
BLACKWATER SPORTS 94—Cruz 31, A. Mangahas 17, Ciriacruz 11, Suguitan 8, Avillanoza 7, Manguera 5, Bagatsing 5, Bulawsan 3, Ilagas 3, J. Mangahas 2, Acibar 0.
DERULO ACCELERO 80—Soyud 21, Manuel 16, Corpuz 11, Wong 10, Bautista 8, Weirzba 6, Jeffries 6, Roncal 2, Eman 0, Gingerich 0, Importante 0, Morillo 0.
Quarters: 22-24, 43-43, 67-61, 94-80
