Bora Rum five safely through
MARTIN Antonio of Fruitas is trapped in the middle as teammate Bryan Cruz disputes the rebound with Jecster Apinan of Big Chill (right).
Boracay Rum survived a thriller to advance to the Final Four for the first time while Big Chill forged a winner-take-all in its own quarterfinal duel in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup yesterday at Blue Eagle Gym.
Maclean Sabellina knocked in Boracay Rum’s last four points as the Waves outlasted EA Regens, 71-68, to arrange a semifinal showdown with No. 2-ranked Blackwater Sports.
“I told the boys that this is it,” said Boracay Rum coach Lawrence Chongson. “Either they want it or they don’t.”
Sabellina scored on an alley-oop with 31.4 seconds left that pushed the Waves ahead, 69-68, before nailing two free throws with 8.1 ticks remaining for the final tally.
Big Chill, though, spoiled Fruitas’ bid to complete the semifinal cast with a 77-72 victory anchored on the trio of Terrence Romeo, Mac Montilla and Jeckster Apinan.
“We showed our poise down the stretch. In this game, our backs were against the wall,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison, after his Superchargers fought off the Shakers’ furious rally in the last two minutes.
The Superchargers will try to overcome the Shakers’ twice-to-beat edge in the game tomorrow, where the winner will clash with defending champion NLEX in the Final Four.
Romeo exploded for a game-high 29 points, including 14 in the final quarter where the Superchargers erected a 12-point lead, 72-60, heading into the last two minutes. With reports from Carla Perez and Nikka Valenzuela
The scores:
First Game
BORACAY RUM 71—Sabellina 19, Eguilos 10, Taha 10, Pasculado 9, Ilagan 8, Arellano 4, Fernandez 3, Acibar 3, Siruma 3, Tagarda 2, Viernes 0, Bandaying 0.
EA REGENS 68—Aquino 17, Almazan 14, Nuyles 10, Sangalang 10, Bautista 8, Knuttel 4, Juico 2, Terso 2, Maiquez 1, Allen 0, Tolentino 0, Miranda 0, Del Rio 0.
Quarters: 17-16, 37-38, 56-56, 71-68
Second Game
BIG CHILL 77—Romeo 29, Montilla 22, Apinan 12, Bringas 4, Dumapig 3, Heruela 2, Villahermosa 2, Lozada 2, Canlas 1.
FRUITAS 72—Escobal 14, Cruz 13, Lastimosa 12, Colina 9,Tolomia 8, Mendoza 5, Caram 3, Pogoy 3, Semira 3, Escoto 2.
Quarters: 14-11, 29-28, 49-46, 77-72
