MANILA, Philippines—New recruit Moala Tautuaa and Simon Enciso hit the big shots in the endgame as Cebuana Lhuillier rallied from a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter to nip Cafe France, 86-85, in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup Monday at JCSGO Gym.
Tautuaa nailed the deciding free throw with 2.7 ticks left, after Enciso buried the game-tying triple, 85-85, with 16 seconds to go.
Cafe France’s Maverick Ahanmisi tried to salvage the game for the Bakers—who held a 75-55 cushion at the start of the fourth quarter—but his last-gasp attempt missed.
Tautuaa, the top rookie pick who jumped to the Gems side after leading Cagayan Valley to the finals last conference, finished with a huge double-double of 34 points and 13 rebounds.
Tanduay Light had an easier time as it ripped Jumbo Plastic, 79-61, in the first game.
Roi Sumang, Aljon Mariano and Jaypee Belencion came out hot from beyond the arc to help the Rhum Masters cruise past the Giants.
Both the Gems and the Rhum Masters joined idle KeraMix and AMA University for the early lead.
Sumang topscored with 17 points, while Mariano had 16, including 10 straight in the Rhum Masters’ fourth-quarter breakaway.
The scores:
First Game
TANDUAY LIGHT 79—Sumang 17, Mariano 16, Belencion 14, Santos 9, Foronda 7, Cenal 4, Escueta 4, Roño 4, Jumao-as 2, Ilagan 1, Eriobu 1, Dela Paz 0, Tagarda 0.
JUMBO PLASTIC 61—Villamor 9, Sabellina 8, Tiongson 8, Perez 8, Khobuntin 7, Paniamogan 6, Petilos 6, Avillanoza 5, Rosales 3, Almario 2, Purdy 0.
Quarters: 21-9, 34-26, 63-49, 79-61
Second Game
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 86—Tautuaa 34, Corpuz 15, Torres 10, Enciso 9, J. Mangahas 5, Acibar 4, A. Mangahas 4, Zamar 3, Vosotros 2, Acosta 0, Bautista 0, Marata 0.
CAFE FRANCE 85—Ahanmisi 19, Sedurifa 18, Nimes 10, Cortez 10, Abundo 8, Ebondo 8, Andrada 6, De Leon 4, Noble 2, Jeruta 0, Miranda 0, Batino 0.
Quarters: 20-16, 32-38, 55-75, 86-85