Veterans step up as Blackwater withstands Café France

By: Celest R. Flores - 11 years ago

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Blackwater withstood Café France, 69-67, Thursday to secure a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals of the 2014 PBA D-League Foundation Cup.

Veterans stepped up for the Elite with Reil Cervantes giving them a 66-63 edge with 67 seconds left after holding the Bakers scoreless in the final two-and-a-half minutes.

But head coach Leo Isaac couldn’t hide his displeasure over his team’s effort after the game, saying “we played a lousy game.”

“We know the importance and complications of this game. But some guys just showed up for the game. I was helpless at the sideline, I was just hoping we will be able to hang on,” he added.

With a 5-3 record, Blackwater tied with idle Cebuana Lhuillier and Jumbo Plastic at second spot which a second outright semifinal berth still up for grabs.

Gio Ciriacruz finished with 17 points, Cervantes had 12 while Mark Cruz, Ferrer and Jericho Cruz chipped in 10 apiece for the Elite.

Alvin Abundo wound up with 11 points for Café France, which officially fell off the playoff race with a 3-5 card.