Bread Story seizes last D-League q’final berth

BREAD Story’s Joseph Gabayni (left) fouls a driving Michael Di Gregorio of Racal Motors as Wilson Baltazar provides help defense. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

WILSON Baltazar and Aziz Mbomiko joined forces in a searing finish as Bread Story-Lyceum downed Racal Motors, 93-90, yesterday to advance to the quarterfinals of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Marikina Sport Complex.

The Pirates looked doomed until Baltazar buried a triple to tie the game with 38 seconds remaining before Mbomiko knocked in a 15-footer to help seal the victory.

With the win, Bread Story, which finished the elimination round with a 5-6 record, nailed the last playoff berth by nipping Tanduay Light via the winner-over-the-other rule.

“I kept telling the players this kind of game will help develop their character and confidence,” said Bread Story-Lyceum coach Bonnie Tan, whose team will face Cafe France, which will enjoy a twice-to-beat edge, in the next round. “I thought they responded well even when things were not going our way.”

Tanduay also finished the elimination round at 5-6, but the Pirates advanced on the strength of their 69-64 win over the Rhum Masters last Nov. 13.

Fourth-seed Jumbo Plastic meets Cebuana Lhuillier in the other quarterfinal duel.

Cagayan Valley, which routed Wangs Basketball, 104-66, in the second game, and Hapee had earlier gained outright semifinal seats after finishing 1-2 at the end of the elimination round.

Giovanni Jalalon shot 20 points and Angelo Gabayni posted 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Pirates.

Racal Motors could have sealed the game earlier but went 4 of 8 from the foul line in the stretch.

The Rising Suns completed an 11-game sweep of the elimination round, coasting to a trouble-free win against a listless Wangs team.

The scores
First Game

BREAD STORY-LYCEUM 93—Jalalon 20, Gabayni 14, Vigil 12, Zamora 9, Mbomiko 8, Bangga 6, Baltazar 5, Daquioag 5, Gamboa 4, Bulawan 4, Taladua 3, Lao 2, Corpuz 1, Elmejrab 0.
RACAL MOTORS 90—Viernes 23, Romero 13, Agovida 12, Di Gregorio 11, Jamito 11, Gabawan 7, Asuncion 4, Ruaya 4, Ambuludto 2, Saitanan 2, Ibay 1, Gil 0.
Quarters: 22-21, 39-44, 69-68, 93-90

Second Game
CAGAYAN VALLEY 104—Melano 23, Galliguez 12, Trollano 11, Dilay 9, Mabulac 9, Tautuaa 8, Olayon 6, Celeda 6, Capacio 6, Austria 5, Santos 4, Tayongtong 3, Flores 2, Salamat 0.
WANGS BASKETBALL 66—Montuano 14, Vijandre 10, Purdy 9, Acosta 8, Montemayor 7, Morillo 6, Ferrer 4, Lina 3, Pontejos 2, Arambulo 2, Acuna 1, Morales 0.
Quarters: 16-9, 45-30, 73-49, 104-66