PBA D-League: Blackwater downs Cebuana

MANILA, Philippines — Reil Cervantes helped Blackwater Sports douse Cebuana Lhuillier’s late surge as the Elite got away with an 85-78 victory to stay in contention for an outright semifinal spot in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup Monday at Meralco Gym.

Cervantes fired a game-high 23 points, including a crucial triple with 44 seconds left that gave the Elite enough buffer after the Gems had trimmed their 17-point advantage, 66-49, to just a basket, 80-78.

“We came in here hoping for the best situation for us,” said Blackwater Sports coach Leo Isaac. “Whatever happens, we’re happy with where we are.”

The Elite will grab solo second and the last outright semifinal berth if Jumbo Plastic loses to Cafe France Tuesday.

But if the Giants win, the Elite will slip to third and head into the quarterfinal round toting a twice-to-beat advantage.

Hog’s Breath Cafe, however, dashed Cagayan Valley’s quarterfinal hopes by scoring a 91-89 overtime upset.

Billy Ray Robles nailed a putback with eight-tenths of a second left as the Razorbacks wrapped up their campaign tied with their victims at 3-6.

“We know there’s nothing much in store for us in this game, but we wanted to finish our campaign on a winning note,” said Razorbacks coach Mike Buendia. Dave Najorda topscored with 17.

The Gems dropped to fourth at 5-4, but will hold a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals.

The scores:

First Game

HOG’S BREATH CAFE 91—Najorda 17, Robles 14, Austria 13, Belencion 9, Sanga 9, Ruaya 6, Racal 6, Gabawan 6, Rios 4, Terso 3, Gonzales 2, Publico 2, Avillanoza 0.

CAGAYAN VALLEY 89—Daquioag 21, Vidal 16, Melano 12, Galliguez 11, Ighalo 11, Webb 7, Revilla 6, Collado 3, Gomez 2, Olivares 0, Suguitan 0, Casajeros 0.

Quarters: 18-16, 39-38, 58-60, 81-81 (reg.), 91-89 (OT)

Second Game

BLACKWATER SPORTS 85—Cervantes 23, Ferrer 13, Bulawan 11, J. Cruz 10, Ciriacruz 8, Austria 8, Pinto 7, M. Cruz 3, Manguera 2, Llagas 0, Mangahas 0.

CEBUANA LHUILLIER 78—G. Banal 16, Zamar 14, Arellano 13, Padilla 13, Gamalinda 9, Acibar 6, Leynes 4, Martinez 2, Ilad 1, Sarangay 0, Noble 0.

Quarters: 24-17, 45-34, 71-58, 85-78