Cebuana, Big Chill forge 4-way tie for lead

MANILA, Philippines — His multiple coaching posts may have gotten him into trouble but coach Boycie Zamar made sure to focus on the task at hand as he steered Cebuana Lhuillier to a share of the lead yesterday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Zamar, fired recently as University of the East coach in the UAAP, drew big games from Bam Gamalinda and Paul Zamar, who teamed up to power the Gems to a come-from-behind 90-86 nipping of Derulo Accelero.

Gamalinda fired half of his 22 points in the final quarter and Zamar also sizzled with 22 on a 4-of-5 shooting from three-point range to lift the Gems from 10 points down, 38-48.

“The good thing is the players woke up and came back to their senses in time,” said Zamar, who is also an assistant coach of San Miguel Beer in the PBA.

Big Chill also joined the Gems, idle NLEX and Cafe France at 2-0 following a 72-66 victory over Cagayan Valley.

Just like the Gems, the Superchargers overcame a sluggish start behind Rodney Brondial’s 12 points and 16 rebounds.

Jumbo Plastic, meanwhile, improved to 1-1 following a 76-68 upset of defending champion Blackwater Sports.

Jopher Custodio unloaded 19 points as the Giants pulled away early, 44-28. Zamar said his focus has been on the Gems despite his falling out with his alma mater.

“As a good soldier, I will abide by their decision and I will always be grateful to UE,” said Zamar. With a report from Xavier Villaluz

The scores:

First Game

CEBUANA LHUILLIER 90—Gamalinda 22, Zamar 22, Martinez 18, Arellano 12, Padilla 12, Sarangay 2, Ilad 2, J. Banal 0, Leynes 0, Noble 0, Mangahas 0, Paredes 0, G. Banal 0.

DERULO ACCELERO 86—Corpuz 21, Soyud 17, Bautista 13, Juico 10, Jalalon 9, Acosta 8, Mendoza 4, Importante 2, Morillo 2, Roncal 0, Manuel 0, Olandiz 0.

Quarters: 21-22, 38-48, 67-70, 90-86 Second Game

JUMBO PLASTIC 76—Custodio 19, Viernaes 14, Cañada 9, Tan 7, Colina 6, Dehesa 5, Chiu 4, Villamor 4, Parala 4, Magat 2, Ballesteros 2, Lopez 0, Romero 0, Petilos 0.

BLACKWATER SPORTS 68—Trollano 19, Cruz 11, Ferrer 8, Ciriacruz 8, Bulawan 7, Mangahas 6, Llagas 6, J. Cruz 3, Manguera 0, Austria 0, Pe 0, Acibar 0, Pinto 0.

Quarters: 25-15, 44-28, 64-49, 76-68

Third Game

BIG CHILL 72—Brondial 12, Celada 12, Maiquez 10, Bonifacio 9, Canlas 8, Villahermosa 7, Lozada 6, Heruela 3, Santos 2, Apinan 2, Belleza 1, Miranda 0, Belorio 0.

CAGAYAN VALLEY 66—Casajeros 15, Daquioag 12, Galliguez 8, Webb 7, Foronda 7, Ighalo 7, Melano 4, Revilla 2, Olivares 0, Collado 0, Lao 0, Bangga 0.

Quarters: 11-18, 38-28, 54-50, 72-66