Hot Gems, Mixers eye D-League lead today

Cebuana Lhuillier tries to sustain its strong start going as the Gems dispute the No. 1 spot with KeraMix in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup Thursday at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

The Gems and the Mixers, who are hoping to claim their first heavyweight foe, clash at 1 p.m. with the winner grabbing the solo lead at 3-0.

Cebuana coach Boycie Zamar thinks his team is headed in the right direction after the Gems’ two contrasting victories.

“I think the most important thing right now is that the chemistry is there,” said Zamar. “ The selflessness is there, the sacrifice is there.”

Cagayan Valley, last conference’s finalists, also shoots for back-to-back wins versus MP Hotel in the second game at 3 p.m.

The Gems, beefed up by Fil-Tongan recruit Moala Tautuaa, survived a heart-stopping first assignment where they rallied from 20 points down in the final quarter to stun Cafe France, 86-85.

A week later, the Gems had an easier time in cruising to a 118-78 rout of MP Hotel.

KeraMix coach Caloy Garcia said his Mixers, led by Arellano spitfire guard Jiovani Jalalon, will get their first real test against the Gems.

“I think the key for us is to contain Tautuaa,” said Garcia.

The Mixers had an easy first two games, blasting MP Hotel in the opener, 87-60, before crushing newcomer Liver Marin-San Sebastian, 89-71.

Meanwhile, Cagayan tries to prove again that it can do without Tautuaa, who debuted with the Rising Suns last conference before joining the Gems early this month.

The Rising Suns hope to follow up their 75-70 tripping of AMA University where Fil-Am guard Abe Galliguez came to the rescue in the final quarter.