Gems keep QF bid alive; Bakers up

Cebuana Lhuillier kept its quarterfinal bid alive as the Gems whipped Wangs, 85-62, yesterday in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

Norbert Torres pumped in 16 points to lead five Cebuana players in double figures as the Gems stayed in the hunt for the last twice-to-beat quarterfinal bonus with a 5-4 card.

“We can’t rely on other teams [losing], so we have to start winning on our own,” Cebuana coach Boycie Zamar said of his fifth-running Gems, who are just a game behind Jumbo Plastic (6-3).

Idle Hapee and Cagayan Valley have already clinched outright semifinal berths with similar 9-0 records, while Cafe France had nailed the first twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals with an 8-2 slate.

Cafe France earlier  solidified its hold of  third spot after thwarting the already eliminated AMA University, 74-68, in overtime.

Rodrigue Ebondo buried 11 of his team-high 18 points in the fourth quarter and grabbed 10 rebounds to power the Bakers, while Maverick Ahanmisi, who also starred with a double-double of 17 points and 12 boards, knocked in a clutch triple with 10.9 seconds left to forge overtime, 62-62.

“We know how to bounce back even if we play a very poor basketball game,” said Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya. “That’s the lesson we learned today.”

The Bakers, who won in overtime for the second straight match, rallied from 14 points down, 29-43, in the third period before a huge fourth-quarter run capped by Ahanmisi’s game-tying triple.

In the other match, Mac Belo fired 13 points to lead a balanced charge as the MJM M-Builders overwhelmed MP Hotel, 93-68, in a no-bearing match between also-rans.

The scores:
First Game
CAFE FRANCE 74—Ebondo 18, Ahanmisi 17, De Leon 14, Galanza 6, Huertas 5, Batino 4, Andrada 3, Cortez 3, Abundo 2, Sedurifa 2, Jeruta 0, Celso 0, Noble 0.
AMA UNIV. 68—Martinez 23, Taganas 15, Sabangan 10, Olivares 6, Sison 6, Arellano 4, Balucanag 2, Rosales 2, Eriobu 0, Jordan 0, Dizon 0.
Quarters: 9-17,  23-29, 37-45, 62-62 (reg.), 74-68 (OT)
Second Game
MJM M-BUILDERS 93—Belo 13, Cruz 12, Alolino 10, Pogoy 10, Tolomia 9, Alberto 8, Khobuntin 8, Mendoza 6, Matias 6, Perez 4, Javelona 3, Inigo 3, Neypes 1, Jose 0.
MP HOTEL 68—Pacquiao 14, Collado 10, Escosio 7, Celda 7, Rogado 7, Yusop 6, Jamon 4, Masaglang 4, Yaya 3, Allen 2, Hainga 2, Landicho 0, Palma 0.
Quarters: 19-20, 42-37, 65-56, 93-68
Third Game
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 85—Torres 16, Enciso 14, Mangahas 11, Zamar 11, Villahermosa 10, Vosotros 8, Ferrer 6, Lopez 5, Acibar 2, Bautista 0, Guinto 0, J. Mangahas 0.
WANGS 62—Pontejos 18, Montuano 18, Morales 5, Acosta 4, Montemayor 4, Morillo 4, Miranda 4, Acuña 3, Mendoza 2, Purdy 0, Ferrer 0, Acidre 0, Rosopa 0, Lina 0.
Quarters: 15-12, 40-34, 63-50, 85-62