MANILA, Philippines — NLEX regained its vaunted fire just in time to clip a pesky Cebuana Lhuillier, 76-68, Tuesday and move within a win of an eliminations sweep in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
The Road Warriors couldn’t quite put the Gems away until Ronald Pascual, who topscored with 14, nailed a triple in the final three minutes to spark an end-game surge that gave them distance from a slim 63-62 edge.
Coach Boyet Fernandez admitted the Road Warriors may have looked rusty after getting a few days break, the team’s reward for clinching the first Final Four slot last week.
“We have achieved our goal, so I gave the players some rest, I thought they deserve it,” said Fernandez after the five-time champions stretched their perfect run to eight games.
Big Chill stayed in contention in the tight race to the quarterfinals following a 50-46 triumph over Jumbo Plastic in the second game.
“This is a must-win for us,” coach Robert Sison said of his Superchargers, who are struggling just a conference after battling NLEX in the Finals.
Mar Villahermosa fired 13 of his 19 points in the final quarter to carry the Superchargers past the Giants, who came within a point, 47-46, with just 20 ticks left.
The scores:
First Game NLEX 76—R. Pascual 14, Adeogun 12, Lanete 12, Amer 9, Alas 7, Dela Rosa 6, Long 5, K. Pascual 4, Ganuelas 3, Dela Cruz 2, J. Pascual 2, Raymundo 0.
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 68—Zamar 15, G. Banal 11, Arellano 10, Gamalinda 10, Ilad 9, Martinez 5, Mangahas 3, Leynes 2, Paredes 2, Acibar 1, J. Banal 0, Padilla 0, Sarangay 0.
Quarters: 21-19, 40-31, 54-52, 76-68
Second Game
BIG CHILL 50—Villahermosa 19, Lozada 12, Heruela 8, Apinan 4, Maiquez 3, Brondial 2, Canlas 1, Celeda 1, Bonifacio 0, Belorio 0.
JUMBO PLASTIC 46—Ballesteros 15, Colina 7, Viernes 6, Cañada 5, Parala 4, Tan 4, Dehesa 3, Villamor 1, Custodio 1, Petilos 0.
Quarters: 11-5, 27-18, 35-33, 50-46