AVERTING a monumental collapse, Cagayan Valley stretched its unbeaten start to nine games with an 81-74 decision of Tanduay Light yesterday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at JCSGO Gym in Quezon City.
The Rising Suns were held to just six points in the final quarter, but built enough cushion to survive Tanduay’s late rally and gain a share of the lead with the idle Hapee Fresh Fighters.
Adrian Celada, Don Trollano and Moala Tautuaa combined for 40 points for the Rising Suns who led by as many as 30 points before cooling off in the final period.
Earlier, Cafe France leaned on the heroics of Maverick Ahanmisi to subdue Cebuana Lhuillier, 67-62, in overtime. Bread Story-Lyceum also needed extra time to get past Wangs Basketball, 97-94, and stay in the race for a quarterfinal berth.
Ahanmisi knocked in a three-point shot and dished out a key assist in the final 2:59 of overtime as the Bakers locked up a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals by improving to 7-2.
“The boys never gave up,” said Café France coach Egaay Macaraya.
Ahanmisi finished with 16 points, including a trey with 60 seconds left in regulation that gave Café France a 56-54 lead. Paul Zamar made two free throws with 18.6 second to play to force overtime.
Jackson Corpuz and Jiovani Jalalon each scored 18 points and Aziz Mbomiko grabbed 11 rebounds for the Pirates, who improved to 3-5.
The scores:
First Game
BREAD STORY 97—Corpuz 18, Jalalon 18, Baltazar 14, Zamora 13, Mbomiko 9, Gamboa 6, Taladua 6, Bulawan 4, Elmejrab 3, Gabayni 2, Bangga 2, Vigil 2, Lao 0.
WANGS BASKETBALL 94—Pontejos 23, Acosta 20, Montuano 14, Miranda 10, Purdy 9, Montemayor 6, Acidre 5, Acuna 4, Ferrer 3, Morillo 0, Rosopa 0, Marquez 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarters: 19-14, 41-28, 55-51, 83-83 (reg) 97-94
Second Game
CAFE FRANCE 67—Ahanmisi 16, Ebondo 13, De Leon 11, Noble 8, Cortez 8, Abundo 6, Andrada 3, Huertas 2, Galanza 0, Jeruta 0, Swdurifa 0.
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 62—Zamar 19, Ferrer 11, Enciso 6, Mangahas 6, Torres 6, Vostros 6, Guinto 6, Villahermosa 2, Lopez 0, Ciriacruz 0, Bautista 0, J. Mangahas 0, Sarangay 0.
Quarters: 15-16, 24-26, 43-36, 56-56 (reg) 67-62.
Third Game
CAGAYAN VALLEY 81—Celada 16, Trollano 12, Tautuaa 12, Melano 10, Mabulac 8, Tayongtong 8, Salamat 6, Austria 5, Flores 4, Dilay 0, Galliguez 0.
TANDUAY LIGHT 74—Mariano 13, Belencion 13, Tagarda 11, JUamao-As 10, Escueta 8, Foronda 8, Santos 5, Sumang 4, Rono 2, Mandani 0, Ignacio 0, De Vera 0, De Leon 0, Ilagan 0.
Quarters: 30-12, 54-27, 75-53, 81-74