MANILA, Philippines –Blackwater Sports pounced on a listless Cafe France early to coast to a lopsided victory, 89-69, and clinch a Final Four berth in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup Thursday at Meralco Gym.
Allan Mangahas sparked the Elite’s second quarter breakaway before Jericho Cruz took over by firing 18 of his game-high 24 points in the second half aside from dishing five assists.
“We were very patient on offense and a lot more disciplined on defense,” said coach Leo Isaac as his Elite stayed on track of their title defense.
Big Chill, though, forged a winner-take-all for the last semifinal berth after overpowering Cebuana Lhuillier, 72-64, in the other quarterfinal match.
Janus Lozada unloaded 22 points and Brian Heruela helped the Superchargers fend off the Gems’ comeback bid in the second half before finishing with 19.
“A lot of people are asking me if we can [overcome the Gems’ twice-to-beat edge]. We’re going to do it in Game 2,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison.
The rubber match is set at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at Meralco Gym with the winner facing unbeaten NLEX in a best-of-three semifinal series.
Blackwater and Jumbo Plastic will tangle in the other semifinal encounter.
Isaac made sure the Elite came out charging just a week after they survived the Bakers, 69-67, in the eliminations.
“I kept telling them we can’t take the [Bakers] lightly,” said Isaac.
By halftime, the Elite had built a 45-31 spread after a second-quarter surge where Mangahas, who shot 11 points, fired a pair of triples in a 17-6 spurt.
Gilbert Bulawan buried 17 points and Reil Cervantes added 14 markers for the Elite. With a report from Xavier Villaluz, Contributor
The scores:
First Game
BLACKWATER SPORTS 89—Cruz 24, Bulawan 17, Cervantes 14, Mangahas 11, Pinto 5, Ciriacruz 5, Trollano 4, Llagas 4, Ferrer 3, Soyud 2, Austria 0, Manguera 0.
CAFE FRANCE 69—Batino 17, Gallardo 17, Cortez 13, Acidre 6, Jeruta 5, Montilla 5, Ebondo 3, Opiso 3, De Leon 0, Abundo 0, Banua 0, Mutombo 0.
Quarters: 19-16, 45-31, 66-54, 89-69
Second Game
BIG CHILL 72—Lozada 22, Heruela 19, Villahermosa 9, Apinan 7, Maiquez 7, Miranda 2, Santos 2, Celada 2, Brondial 2, Canlas 0, Bonifacio 0.
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 64—Zamar 16, Arellano 12, Gamalinda 9, Acibar 6, G. Banal 5, Leynes 4, Padilla 4, Mangahas 3, J. Banal 3, Ilad 2, Sarangay 0.
Quarters: 18-19, 34-25, 50-45, 72-64