NLEX stays unscathed; Ilad bails out Cebuana

MANILA, Philippines — Playing far from its ideal form, NLEX still proved too tough in a 98-82 romp over Derulo Accelero that kept the Road Warriors unbeaten in six games in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup Monday at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

Garvo Lanete and Matt Ganuelas shot 17 points each as the Road Warriors dominated the Oilers in the shaded area, 48-28, and pulled away in the final quarter.

“The guys were very complacent, but the bottomline is we got the W (win),” said NLEX deputy Mon Celis of the Road Warriors, who pulled themselves together after the Oilers came within four points, 70-66.

Earlier, Cebuana Lhuiller secured solo second at 4-1 as the Gems hacked out a 77-76 decision over Cafe France on Brian Ilad’s game-winner.

Boracay Rum, meanwhile, improved to 3-2 while pinning a third straight loss on Big Chill with a 76-70 triumph.

Ilad scored on a reverse layup with 1.6 seconds left to cap the Gems’ comeback from a 10-point deficit, 31-41, at the half.

Gems guard James Martinez earlier grabbed possession after a loose ball scramble in the dying seconds, then dished it out to Ilad, whose first attempt was blocked by the Bakers’ Aristotle Mutombo.

But Ilad grabbed the rebound then struck with the game-clincher. Bam Gamalinda pumped in a day-high 23 points to pace the Gems.

The depleted Road Warriors, who will have coach Boyet Fernandez back in the next game, also drew key contributions from Ray Parks (16 points), Jake Pascual (15) and Kevin Alas (12).

The scores:

First Game

CEBUANA LHUILLIER 77— Gamalinda 23, Zamar 10, Padilla 8, Acibar 7, Arellano 6, Martinez 5, Ilad 5, Noble 4, Leynes 3, J. Banal 2, Sarangay 2, Paredes 1, G. Banal 1.

CAFE FRANCE 76—Ebondo 17, Abundo 15, Acidre 14, Cortez 9, Montilla 8, Batino 7, Sedurifa 3, De Leon 3, Jeruta 0, Gallardo 0.

Quarters: 11-18, 31-41, 52-58, 77-76

Second Game

BORACAY RUM 76—Lingganay 14, Ilagan 13, Cabrera 12, Banchero 10, Belo 9, Roño 7, Caperal 4, Taha 3, Bautista 2, Eguilos 2, Siruma 0, Sabellina 0, Ignacio 0, Tagarda 0.

BIG CHILL 70—Lozada 18, Brondial 13, Maiquez 10, Villahermosa 8, Celada 8, Heruela 5, Apinan 4, Bonifacio 3, Canlas 1, Belorio 0.

Quarters: 16-18, 38-32, 54-53, 76-70

Third Game

NLEX 98—Lanete 17, Ganuelas 17, Parks 16, J. Pascual 15, Alas 12, Villarias 6, Raymundo 3, Del Rosario 3, Dela Rosa 3, Bonsubre 2, Pangilinan 2.

DERULO ACCELERO 82—Manuel 15, Bautista 13, Juico 11, Soyud 9, Importante 8, Jalalon 8, Roncal 7, Corpuz 6, Acosta 3, Olandriz 2, Pao 0.

Quarters: 22-10, 45-37, 70-66, 98-82