NLEX roars to 7th D-League win

Kevin Alas and Rome dela Rosa combined to spark a late breakaway as NLEX blasted Jumbo Plastic, 71-59, yesterday for its seventh straight triumph in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena.

The Road Warriors, paced by Garbo Lanete’s 20 points, broke a 51-all tie with five minutes left behind a closing 20-8 rampage starring Alas and Dela Rosa, who finished with a combined 22 points.

“Our goal is to make it to the top two right away,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez. “I think we’re very much on target.”

Cebuana Lhuillier also kept solo second at 5-1 by nipping Boracay Rum in overtime, 74-72.

Marcy Arellano nailed the game-winning layup with 3.8 seconds left to lift the Gems, who also drew clutch baskets from James Martinez and Paul Zamar.

Earlier, Big Chill arrested a three-game slide by blasting Cafe France, 68-54, to improve to a 3-3 record.

“I’m relieved,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison. “We’ve been struggling the past five games.”

Meanwhile, league commissioner Chito Salud slapped Cagayan Valley’s Jason Melano a two-game suspension and a P10,000 fine for punching Jumbo Plastic’s Jan Colina during the game won by the Giants last Tuesday.

The scores:

First Game

BIG CHILL 68—Heruela 13, Apinan 9, Lozada 8, Brondial 8, Canlas 7, Santos 6, Maiquez 6, Miranda 5, Celada 2, Bonifacio 2, Villahermosa 2, Belorio 0, Belleza 0.

CAFE FRANCE 54—Batino 15, Cortez 8, De Leon 8, Ebondo 6, Sedurifa 5, Abundo 4, Gallardo 4, Montilla 3, Banua 1, Jeruta 0, Opiso 0, Acidre 0, Celso 0, Mutombo 0.

Quarters: 20-18, 38-28, 55-41, 68-54

Second Game

NLEX 71—Lanete 20, Alas 14, J. Pascual 12, Parks 9, Dela Rosa 8, Ganuelas 2, K. Pascual 2, Long 2, Adeogun 2, Dela Cruz 0, Amer 0.

JUMBO PLASTIC 59—Viernes 15, Cañada 12, Custodio 6, Ballesteros 6, Villamor 5, Tan 4, Colina 4, Parala 2, Chiu 1, Dehesa 0, Pettilos 0.

Quarters: 12-8, 33-24, 47-42, 71-59

Third Game

CEBUANA LHUILLIER 74—Martinez 19, Zamar 12, Gamalinda 12, Arellano 11, G. Banal 7, Padilla 5, Ilad 5, Acibar 2, Leynes 1, J. Banal 0, Mangahas 0.

BORACAY RUM 72—Belo 13, Ignacio 11, Cabrera 10, Bautista 10, Siruma 8, Caperal 7, Lingganay 6, Sabellina 3, Rono 2, Tagarda 0, Eguilos 0.

Quarters: 13-8, 23-26, 39-46, 59-59 (reg.), 74-72 (OT)

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