MANILA, Philippines — Left with no playoff worries, NLEX still played aggressively and clobbered Big Chill, 70-58, Thursday to complete a 9-0 elimination sweep of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena.
Jake Pascual topscored with 16 points and Kevin Alas sparked a strong start to finish with 15 for the Road Warriors, who nailed an outright Final Four berth as early as last week while the rest of the field continued to jockey for playoff spots.
“Whether we could keep the streak going I don’t know,” coach Boyet Fernandez said of his five-time champions, who posted the league’s first sweep at 13-0 in 2012. “If it happens, then it happens. I don’t want to pressure my players.”
In the second game, Blackwater Sports edged Cafe France, 69-67, to gain at least a twice-to-beat quarterfinal incentive.
Gio Ciriacruz pumped in 17 points to lead five players in double figures as the Elite held the Bakers without a field goal in the last 2:32 minutes of play.
Aside from going no lower than fourth, the Elite still have a shot at claiming the last outright semifinal bonus after forging a three-way tie for second at 5-3 with idle Cebuana Lhuillier and Jumbo Plastic.
“We played a lousy game,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac. “We know the importance and implications of the game, but some guys just showed up here.”
The Superchargers are battling to stay inside the top six with Cagayan Valley, Boracay Rum and Cafe France, all at 3-5.
The scores:
First Game
NLEX 70—J. Pascual 16, Alas 15, Adeogun 10, Ganuelas 8, Dela Cruz 6, Amer 5, Lanete 3, R. Pascual 3. Raymundo 2, Long 2, K. Pascual 0, Koga 0, Dela Rosa 0.
BIG CHILL 58—Apinan 11, Lozada 11, Miranda 10, Villahermosa 7, Maiquez 6, Bonifacio 4, Brondial 4, Canlas 2, Heruela 2, Santos 1, Belorio 0.
Quarters: 21-14, 38-29, 53-43, 70-58
Second Game
BLACKWATER SPORTS 69—Ciriacruz 17, Cervantes 12, M. Cruz 10, J. Cruz 10, Ferrer 10, Bulawan 4, Pinto 4, Austria 2, Mangahas 0, Trollano 0, Llagas 0.
CAFE FRANCE 67—Abundo 11, Sedurifa 10, Cortez 10, Batino 10, Ebondo 10, Jeruta 6, Montilla 5, De Leon 5, Acidre 0, Gallardo 0.
Quarters: 22-15, 32-35, 50-51, 69-67