Paul Nuilan (front) moves in to help Arellano-Air21 teammate Vince Fran (top) who bites to the fake of Cebuana’s Bam Gamalinda. August dela Cruz
MANILA, Philippines – Garvo Lanete kept his hot form as NLEX cruised past Cafe France, 93-68, to boost its bid for an outright semifinal slot in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Monday at JCSGO Gym in Quezon City.
Lanete poured in 20 points, 13 in the second half where Kirk Long and Ronald Pascual also sizzled from three-point range to help the Road Warriors build 20-point buffers.
“I’m hoping we can make it right away to the semifinals,” coach Boyet Fernandez said of his Road Warriors, who improved to 7-1 as several teams remained in tight contention for the top two slots.
In other games, Dennice Villamor knocked in a triple with just a second left to lift National University-Banco de Oro to an 83-81 escape over Wangs Basketball, while Cebuana Lhuillier dumped Arellano University-Air21, 89-71.
The Bulldogs, who just picked up their second win, trailed 43-55, in the second half before Joshua Alolino (15 points), Glenn Khobuntin (14) and Robin Roño (13) helped put the squad within striking distance.
Paul Zamar, meanwhile, drilled 12 of his 14 points from beyond the arc to lead the Gems to their fourth win in eight games.
Lanete, who has been posting 20-point performances in recent games, also grabbed seven rebounds and had two steals.
The scores:
First Game NU-BDO 83—Alolino 15, Khobuntin 14, Roño 13, Villamor 12, Rosario 10, Labing-isa 9, Celda 4, Neypes 2, Perez 2, Javolona 2, De Guzman 0.
WANGS BASKETBALL 81—Galliguez 14, Ilad 11, Acosta 10, Vijandre 9, Franco 8, Juico 6, Gomez 5, Banal 5, Castro 4, Lopez 4, Ferrer 3, Sanchez 2, Saitanan 0, Macuha 0.
Quarters: 21-19, 43-51, 60-66, 83-81
Second Game
NLEX 93—Lanete 20, Long 13, R. Pascual 11, Alas 9, K. Pascual 8, J. Pascual 6, Hermida 5, Dela Cruz 4, Adeogun 4, Dela Rosa 4, Raymundo 3, Koga 3, Ganuelas 3, Amer 0. CAFE
FRANCE 68—Cortes 21, Ebondo 12, Abundo 12, Parale 8, Nimes 6, Gallardo 4, De Leon 3, Banua 2, Mutombo 0, Opiso 0, Batino 0, Montilla 0, Sarangay 0.
Quarters: 22-14, 38-30, 69-49, 93-68
Third Game
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 89—Zamar 14, Banal 12, Sumang 10, Paredes 10, Gamalinda 10, Bustos 7, Javier 6, Padilla 6, Martinez 5, Leynes 5, Casajeros 4, Olivares 0, Noble 0, Flores 0
ARELLANO-AIR21 71—Webb 20, Palma 12, Rogado 7, Ciriacruz 7, Nuilan 7, Arquero 6, Tayongtong 6, Bartolo 2, Fran 2, Acidre 2.
Quarters: 25-18, 44-31, 70-47, 89-71