FILE PHOTO / NUKI SABIO of PBA
MANILA, Philippines — Big Chill built a comfortable cushion and overcame a last-ditch rally by Blackwater for a 95-84 win which dragged their PBA D-League Aspirants Cup semifinals match up to a sudden death.
The Superchargers, on the verge of an early exit after a dominant elimination round campaign, took over in the second quarter and flashed the dominance it was lacking in the game one setback.
“With our backs against the wall, the players showed their character. They played with a lot of heart, they didn’t back down and made the big plays in the end,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison.
The Superchargers blew the game open on the combined efforts of Juneric Baloria, Mar Villahermosa, Jeckster Apinan, Allan Santos and Rodney Brondial, who scored all but seven of the team’s 32-point production in the game-turning quarter.
Dexter Maiquez led Big Chill with 25 points, while Baloria and Apinan chipped in 13 points each.
Big Chill, who never got a chance to be a threat to Blackwater last Tuesday, managed to turn the game around with its aggressive defense that forced the Elite to maze of miscues.
“I thought our defense was the key. We viewed the tape of Game 1, saw some flaws and made the adjustments,” added Sison.
Blackwater, which led 32-25 early in the second but succumbed to a furious 30-8 Big Chill run, tried for a comeback midway in the payoff period but the closest it got was 72-80 on a layup by Kevin Ferrer.
Allan Mangahas had 21 points for the Elite, Pari Laggas with 20, and Ferrer with 15 but only drew four points from Jericho Cruz.
Game 3 is set on Tuesday at the San Juan Arena with the winner advancing to the best-of-three finals series to be played at Smart Araneta Coliseum.